>>> THE CITY IS EYEING ONE OF THE LARGEST RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AS A POSSIBLE SHELTER FOR MIGRANTS.

THIS COMES AMID A CITY STRUGGLE TO FIND HOUSING AND RESOURCES FOR THE THOUSANDS OF NEW ARRIVALS FROM TEXAS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SERIES, WE GO TO THE EDGEWATER COMMUNITY.

JOANNA JOINS US NOW.

WHAT IS AT STAKE?

>> Reporter: WELL, BRANDIS, THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT THE FACILITY COULD BE CLOSED IF IT IS USED TO HOUSE MIGRANTS.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE,, AND CLOSING IT FOR THE SUMMER COULD BE A HUGE LOSS FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE COULD NOT BELIEVE IT.

THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL PROGRAMS HERE FOR ALL THE KIDS AND THE SENIORS.

THIS WOULD ALL BE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD BECOME A SHELTER.

>> Reporter: LINDA WHITE SAYS THAT IN MAY A GROUP OF CITY OFFICIALS LOOKED INTO THIS ISSUE, AND THAT A PLAN TO CONVERT THE FACILITY INTO HOUSING FOR MIGRANTS AS POSSIBLE.

>> IS SHE GOING TO SEE A SPOKESPERSON?

IS THIS MEETING COMING UP?

>> Reporter: THE ALDERWOMAN SENT A STATEMENT SAYING THAT ALL OPTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED ACROSS THE CITY AND NOTE THAT NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT THE BROADWAY ARMORY AND NO DECISIONS WILL BE MADE WITHOUT A PROCESS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ARMORY PARK WAS CONSIDERED AS AN EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTER.

THE BUILDING HAS MULTIPLE ROOMS, GYMNASIUMS, SHOWERS, SEVERAL BATHROOMS AND A KITCHEN.

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD FEEL THAT PUT OUT BY IT, REALLY.

IN TERMS OF COMPARING IT WITH THE NEEDS OF MIGRANTS I WOULD SAY IT IS A GOOD SPACE AND IT SHOULD BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

IT WILL HOPEFULLY MOVE THEM ON TO BETTER HOUSING.

>> Reporter: IN NEARBY ROGERS PARK, CITY LEADER HAS BEEN LEADING EFFORTS ON THE NORTH SIDE TO HOUSE MIGRANTS FROM THE TEXAS BORDER.

IT HAS TURNED INTO A 24/7 OPERATION.

>> WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERING WITH ME, AND WE STARTED A GROUP THAT IS LIKE A PAY IT FORWARD.

SO WE INVITE THIS GROUP TO THE STORE.

THEY TEACH OTHERS HOW TO HELP.

>> THE PROGRAM HAS HELPED PEOPLE LIKE JUAN CARLOS OUT.

HE IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN A HOTEL DOWNTOWN.

AS VANEGAS WHICH TO GET HIS WORK PERMIT HE VOLUNTEERS AT THE LOCAL CHURCH, HELPING OUT OTHER ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

HE IS WORKING TO HELP MIGRANTS , AND SHE HOPES THAT THE CITY CAN HELP GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS ON THE FRONT LINES OF CRISIS.

>> I AM HAPPY TO GIVE ANY GIFT TO THE CITY SO THAT WE CAN DO THE LITTLE THINGS, LIKE DROPPING SOMEBODY AT THE HOSPITAL.

FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS IT DOES ADD UP.

I DON'T HAVE ONE VOLUNTEER IN MY GROUP THAT HAS NOT SPENT UP TO $2000.

>> THE FIELD HOUSE IN ROGERS PARK IS ALSO BEING USED AS A RESPITE CENTER AS ASYLUM-SEEKERS WAIT TO BE MOVED TO SHELTER.

PRESIDENT LINDA WHITE SAYS SHE WELCOMES MIGRANTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT HOPES THE COMMUNITY WILL NOT HAVE TO LOSE PROGRAMMING.

>> IT IS AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE.

IT IS NOT LIKE IT IS AN EMPTY SCHOOL OR AN EMPTY SITE.

PEOPLE ARE USING IT ON A DAILY BASIS.

IT IS A VERY VIBRANT COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE SITE.

NOW JOINING US IS OUR OLDER PERSON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THERE ARE SOME RESIDENTS WHO ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS FACILITY COULD BE CLOSE.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?

>> WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A NATIONAL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

WE ARE LUCKY THAT WE LIVE IN CHICAGO, WHICH IS A SANCTUARY CITY AND ILLINOIS IS A SANCTUARY STATE.

REGARDING THE HONORARY AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO, ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE.

AT THIS TIME, THE PARK AND SHORT US THAT THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO PLANS AND ALL SUMMER PROGRAMMING IS MOVING FORWARD.

WE AS A SOCIETY NEED TO STEP UP AND DO OUR PART.

>> SO YESTERDAY $51 MILLION FOR MIGRANTS WAS APPROVED.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

>> THAT WAS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.

YOU SEE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE GALLERY WITH THE PUBLIC SPEAKING.

THEY SAY THAT HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND HEALTHCARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PASS ORDINANCES, AND AT THE SAME TIME WELCOME NEW ARRIVALS AND PUT THEM ON A BETTER PATH FOR THEIR LIVES AND THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES, BUT I WANT TO ASK IS THERE ARE MANY GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS JUST COMING TOGETHER FOR THE VOLUNTEERS TRYING TO HELP.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT IN EDGEWATER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY ARE ENGAGED.

RIGHT NOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH THE ASSOCIATION AND WITH THE EDGEWATER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

BUT THERE