About SOMC Housing

Housing Stability, Rooted in Dignity

State of Mind Collective (SOMC) Housing was created in response to a pressing need: far too many young adults in Chicago are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, with few safe, independent options that aren’t tied to complex service systems.

SOMC provides an alternative. We are a private landlord, not a licensed transitional housing provider. Our model offers shared, all-inclusive housing for young adults (ages 18–24), free from programmatic requirements or supervision. We believe housing should be accessible without barriers, conditions, or waitlists that delay stability.

selective focus of man smiling near building

Why It Matters

In Illinois, nearly 4,800 unaccompanied youth experience homelessness each year. Many fall through the cracks of public systems—too old for foster care, too young for adult shelters, and often unable to access housing that requires documentation, participation, or program enrollment.

Chicago’s 2023 point-in-time count found that youth ages 18–24 make up nearly 20% of the city’s unhoused population, with disproportionate impacts on Black, LGBTQ+, and system-involved youth.

We created SOMC to fill this gap with housing-first principles, safe shared spaces, and partnerships with agencies who can provide support outside the lease.

Our Values

Dignity – Every resident deserves a space they can call their own
Access – We reduce red tape and open doors, not close them
Community – Shared living fosters support, accountability, and growth
Equity – We prioritize youth most impacted by systemic exclusion

Our Approach

SOMC Housing is:

Substance-free, stable, and fully furnished
Operated under month-to-month private leases
Located in safe, transit-accessible neighborhoods in Chicago
Compliant with the Fair Housing Act and local housing codes

We do not offer supervision, treatment, or on-site programming. Instead, we partner with youth-serving organizations who refer residents and, in many cases, sponsor their rent through flex funds or short-term subsidies.