08/19/2026
Fair Haven Acquires Building for Transitional Housing Program, Launches Capital Campaign
HIGHLAND — Fair Haven R**e Crisis Center has acquired a building that will become the future home of Portside Suites, expanding a planned transitional housing program for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking and other violent crimes.
The new property will allow Fair Haven to provide seven private apartments for survivors, up from the five units originally planned at the organization’s current location.
Fair Haven said Portside Suites was developed in response to a critical need facing survivors who may struggle to secure safe and stable housing after leaving dangerous situations.
The organization initially planned to construct five apartments at its existing location. However, increasing construction costs and project timelines led Fair Haven to instead purchase an existing multifamily building. The change is expected to allow the program to open sooner while increasing its housing capacity by 40%.
The property acquisition was made possible through a $1 million HOME-ARP award administered by the Lake County Community Economic Development Department.
“This milestone would not have been possible without the partnership of Lake County,” Fair Haven Founder and Executive Director Kelly Vates said. “From helping us navigate an incredibly complex project to supporting our decision to change course when construction costs became unsustainable, Tim Brown, Executive Director, and the Community Economic Development team stayed at the table with us.”
The future Portside Suites property contains more than 7,600 square feet of living space and seven private, non-congregate apartments. Its location will remain confidential to protect the safety and privacy of residents.
Fair Haven said the program is intended to provide more than temporary housing, with survivors also having access to supportive services as they work toward long-term stability and independence.
“Housing is only the beginning,” Vates said. “Portside Suites will provide the stability that makes healing possible; the time and space for survivors to move beyond crisis, reclaim their independence and begin building lives defined not by the violence they experienced, but by the future they choose to create.”
“Sea It Through” Campaign Launched
With the building now secured, Fair Haven is launching its “Sea It Through” capital campaign to prepare Portside Suites for future residents.
Money raised through the campaign will be used for furnishings, essential amenities, safety improvements and other work necessary to create fully equipped living spaces.
The Legacy Foundation is supporting the effort through a matching grant opportunity. Qualifying donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $75,000.
“We found the building. Now, together, we can fulfill its promise,” Vates said. “Community support will help us create a place where survivors can regain stability, heal and begin building what comes next.”
Fair Haven also credited its Portside Suites Building Committee for helping guide the project. Committee members include State Rep. Julie Olthoff, a Fair Haven board member and committee chair; Brian Mauger, Fair Haven board member and shift supervisor at Ameristar Casino; Dan Magura, vice president and senior business banker at Peoples Bank; and David A. Lasser of Commercial In-Sites, LLC.
Founded in 2005, Fair Haven was Northwest Indiana’s first stand-alone r**e crisis center. The organization provides 24/7 crisis response, advocacy, counseling, prevention education and other services for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking and dating violence.
Fair Haven says its survivor services are provided free of charge through support from community partners, donors and advocates.
Community members can support the Sea It Through campaign through the Legacy Foundation matching grant or help furnish the apartments through Fair Haven’s Amazon Wish List. Additional information about Portside Suites and Fair Haven R**e Crisis Center is available through the organization.
