New facility for homeless people, veterans opens in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Ill. (WAND) - Finding resources is difficult when you are homeless or struggling to maintain a stable place to live. This is especially difficult in rural areas.

A new non-profit, Hope on 5th, is changing the lives of many who are struggling in surrounding areas, and ensuring they are safe and cared for until they can get back on their feet. This includes providing bedroom spaces for those who need assistance and connecting them with resources.

"We are unique because we are a one stop shop and we've never had a shelter here before," said Kim Turner, Chairman of the Board for Hope on 5th. "Those of us who worked in this field and know about this problem or that it does exist, are just so thankful that we are actually serving people, and because we never had a resource like this before."

Chris and Colleen Radtke were the second and third people to call Hope on 5th home. They lived in their car for a year before the facility opened up and they were able to move into the building. The couple says, its been lifechanging compared to other facilities they've tried to enter.

"This place is a miracle because you just feel so unwanted anywhere else," said Colleen Radtke. "We got here and they just opened the doors and they had a room that was already ready for us. That just doesn't happen."

Hope on 5th got access to the building in the beginning on 2024. It was a nursing home and Lincoln College owned it at one point, though never used the building. The organization was able to maintain much of the original structure of the building and used dormitory furniture that was left behind by the college.

Right now, Hope on 5th is housing 16 people. They have started placing others on a waitlist, because although they have more rooms, they don't have the staff to maintain the building and support more residents. The gal of the organization is to act as a launch pad to get people into a permanent housing option, instead of relying on other organizations.

Hope on 5th largely operates from volunteers and donations. They post their weekly needs on their Facebook page. They also accept donations for the costs of operating the building.