Man In Van Seeks La Grange Shelter: Resident

LA GRANGE, IL – A man living in a van behind the Walmart in Hodgkins needs a bed in the La Grange homeless shelter, a resident said Monday.

Charles Gilbert, who lives in the 100 block of Sawyer Avenue, told the Village Board about the man's situation. The man has lived next to the store for nearly two months, Gilbert said.

On Tuesday, an official with Beds Plus indicated the man prefers staying where he is.

Gilbert said he and others have been trying to help the man get into the Beds Plus shelter at Ogden and East avenues.

The man has been referred twice to Beds Plus' shelter in Summit, which houses those with serious medical conditions, and is now living on a $400 voucher, Gilbert said.

Gilbert questioned the shelter's decision not to house the man.

"I don't think it's fair," he said.

Village President Mark Kuchler said he would contact the local shelter about the situation.

"Whatever the rules are, he's going to have to comply with the rules," Kuchler said. "Assuming he does, I think they will provide him with the best shelter opportunities in the western suburbs."

In an interview Tuesday, Terri Rivera, chief advancement officer for Beds Plus, said her agency has been working with the man.

"There is a family member who has been difficult in intervening between the client and our staff. He has not taken some of the steps that some of his family members want him to," Rivera said. "We have offered him different housing options. But the client keeps telling our staff he wants to be where he is at."