This story was produced in partnership with students at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and WTTW News.

By Paris Fransway, Ellie Callahan Skelly and Shreya Srinivasan

Chicago’s 60-day shelter-stay limit has asylum seekers looking to find permanent housing in the area.

A new privately funded apartment-style living arrangement has been in the works since October and could offer a solution. 

Kaira Estrada, 28, is a Venezuelan asylum seeker.

She initially stayed at the largest Chicago-funded migrant shelter, but said she encountered dangerous circumstances. 

In Spanish, Estrada shared her concerns.

“We live surrounded by danger outside the refugee shelter, because there is a lot of people doing bad things,” she said. “So they look for conflict and that brings conflict. So you kinda live with fear.”

Estrada now lives at Casa Monarca in Uptown. 

“We live more calm (here),” Estrada said. “No one is smoking or drinking. It’s important because I feel safe. It’s a big part of the comparison.”

Casa Monarca organizer Luisette Kraal said the privately funded apartment-style housing run by Nuevos Vecinos promises dignity and community for the 11 families living there.

“So, the idea is, if you’re alone in a country, but if you can find a couple of families to join and, together, bring kids to school, pick them up and help with things, then you won’t be so lonely,” Kraal said.

Casa Monarca helps residents learn how to finance a home in the city.

“They have to learn to sign a contract and stick to it,” Kraal said. “It’s all learning.”

Casa Monarca also offers other support services.

“Driving classes, street classes, street smarts classes, shopping classes, I can pop them out like that!” Kraal said.

The organization’s goal is to establish a community while setting up asylum seekers with the resources they need to find permanent housing.