Heartline was established in 1982 by local ministers and community leaders who were concerned that there was no place in Woodford County for people in crisis to receive information and referral assistance. Heartline was set up to serve the Woodford County community as an information and referral agency.

Heart House came to be in 1992 when Heartline rented a vacant fraternity house at Eureka College to serve the emergent needs of Woodford County's homeless population and in particular, women who needed a safe place to stay.  In 1995, Heart House was financially equipped to move into their own secure facility, built with donated funds of caring and concerned individuals, churches, organizations, and  businesses throughout Central Illinois.  It is not uncommon that individuals of Heart House are also recipients of Heartline services.