Neighbors,
This week we are starting with housing and development as it’s top of mind for many residents. From there, we mark one year since the murder of Silverio Villegas González and the start of Operation Midway Blitz. We are also launching a senior committee so our elders can help shape what happens in the 26th Ward. We will talk about how you can help raise funds for families in Puerto Rico who are experiencing a water crisis. And finally, we celebrate the volunteers who helped turn the 606 into an official arboretum.
A Note on Zoning and Development in the 26th Ward
In the past two weeks, there have been many conversations about zoning and development in the 26th Ward, particularly along Armitage Avenue. A recurring argument is that all new development is inherently good for a neighborhood because it creates more housing. I disagree.
One of the primary concerns is an aesthetic priority, that vacant lots and buildings are unattractive. And I understand. I won’t argue that vacant and neglected properties are what we need for our ward; I want those spaces activated too. However, greenlighting a development simply because an empty lot is ugly is not rooted in my value system. Zoning decisions cannot be driven by aesthetic preference.
What gets built on that lot will be cemented there for generations, and the consequences of that decision matter much more than whether the block looks prettier afterward. We have a responsibility to think about the material and environmental conditions around that property, what residents can actually afford, what our most vulnerable neighbors need, and what approving a zoning change today could mean for that community 100 years from now.
These decisions are personal to me and our neighbors alike. I think about my niece, who is attending college. If she wanted to come back to the neighborhood in five years, would she be able to afford the rents on the very block she used to walk down to buy tamales? And does she even stand a chance of purchasing a property in the ward when she’s ready?
I think about how one out of every 10 people coming through the doors of my office is inquiring about housing. That’s over 330 constituents. 56 of those constituents are experiencing homelessness. 24 have active eviction cases. And 203 residents are seeking, applying for, or waiting on public or affordable housing lists that are longer than any one affordable housing requirement could serve. Their cases are the most difficult cases my staff handles. One person may require months of calls, referrals, applications, and follow-up, often while the resident is living with the very real question of where they are going to go to sleep that night. This is who I am centering when we make housing and development decisions.
I also recognize that the 26th Ward Community-Led Zoning Map Amendment Process is not as clear and transparent as it should be. For the next three weeks, Erin, my Director of Zoning & Business Affairs, and I will be shedding light on how this part of our office works. Our hope is that you will be able to articulate our guiding values and formal processes. We also hope that you’ll be empowered to contribute to solving our city’s housing crisis.
If your concern is specifically that people need somewhere to live right now, there are ways to help. The Center of Concern's Home Sharing Program connects people who have extra space in their homes with people seeking affordable housing. We encourage residents with available space to learn more about the program.
I also invite you to learn more about the Protecting Renters Ordinance, which has had some recent updates that give breaks to small landlords. The best way to prevent chronic homelessness is to prevent eviction. Our housing laws have not been updated since Mayor Harold Washington was in office, and with rents rising at a greater rate than inflation, now is the time for change.
I hope you tune in and share with your friends and neighbors. Solving for this crisis is going to take a million ideas and actions from each of us, and I am proud to invite you in to build with me.
