[remote or in person] Committee on Housing and Real Estate
Chicago City Council
Housing
Politics
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024
12:00 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. CST
121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 (Directions)
Chicago City Hall, 2nd floor, Council
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Ayesha Riaz
Alders approved the appointment of Lissette Castañeda as Chicago’s next Housing Commissioner.
The Committee on Housing and Real Estate covers housing, redevelopment, and neighborhood conservation matters (with the exception of building codes, zoning and land use planning). They have jurisdiction over acquisitions/dispositions and real estate leases.
Meeting agenda can be viewed here: [] …storagev1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/meetingattachm…
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Meeting is scheduled for 12:00pm, begins at 12:07pm with Chair Byron Sigcho-Lopez (Alder of 25th ward) establishing quorum with several members joining remotely.
There are 10 speakers for public commentary. Speaker 1, Juan Calderon, on behalf of Puerto Rican Cultural Center, filled with pride as he congratulates Lissette Castañeda who has been fighting gentrification with unwavering commitment.
Calderon is certain that challenges will be addressed with compassion, wisdom and innovative solutions.
2) Allison Clements, Executive director of IL Housing Council, represents development and preservation of affordable housing, in full support of Castañeda. She served as member of the board of directors, executive committee and in leadership roles.
Castañeda’s unique expertise includes understanding challenges from residents and barriers for developers.
Speaker 3, Kate G. from Evergreen Real Estate Group to support Castañeda. They have worked together the past 5 years on affordable housing developments, showing commitment to disinvested and gentrifying communities + her ability to bring together diverse groups of people.
4) Christian Diaz, director of Equitable Community Development at Logan Square Neighborhood Association in full support of Lissete Castañeda for working to advance racial equity, organizing to preserve Lathrop Homes and establishing Here to Stay community land trust.
Speaker 5, on behalf of SEIU Local One and its 50,000 members wish to congratulate the new head of DOH.
Speaker 6, Juacolda Reyes shares unwavering support for Lisette Castañeda’s appointment. She has lived community and developer experience and investment in all racial communities.
She will be the first Latina commissioner in the City of Chicago history (!) despite being the largest minority group (29%). This signals that her positions and goals are attainable, as well as her dedication to history, culture, and commitment.
Speaker 7, Natasha Brown Castro, co-chair of Puerto Rican Agenda Housing Community , strong support for Castaneda, first truly organic and informed commissioner in the history of Chicago.
IL becomes first in the country to create designated cultural districts, preserving historical structures, tradition and languages, strengthening the unique cultural opportunities and promoting growth. There is nobody more qualified.
Speaker 8, Sarah Wick, senior VP of Affordable Housing Midwest, speaks in strong support of Lissette Castañeda who knows how to foster collaboration. This experienced practitioner would help Chicago and hopes committee will affirm this decision.
Speaker 9, Kevin Jackson of Chicago Rehab Network, welcome Lissette’s appointment. LUCHA has been a long-standing member. She has invaluable experience and knowledge of community boards, neighborhoods, and the fight for racial equity and inclusion.
Speaker 10 is Jimera Rodriguez, lifelong resident of Humboldt Park who works for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Her family has been there for 3 generations through gun and gang violence and replaced with shortterm tenants who don't say hi.
Luxury condos sit empty while tents of houseless neighbors pop up. She is in full support of Castañeda for creating housing security.
Additionally, there were 3 written public comments also stating support for Castañeda.
Rule 45 Report was approved from last meeting on January 17th 2024, covered by Documenter aryssa symone [] https://twitter.com/aryssadocs/status/1748025731731341727
Lissette Castañeda requests the board for favorable consideration. Her family was displaced from Lincoln Park to Logan Square, and that experience would follow her, way before she knew what gentrification and displacement meant.
Through involvement in community development organizations, demanding $$$ to be set aside for new affordable housing, serving on boards of housing policies, Castañeda shares that DOH currently oversees the program that she built.
DOH funds projects like downpayment programs, shelters, policy to expand access, and choices for homes that are safe and healthy.
Castañeda advocates that the city needs a holistic view of housing; she understands it from profound personal and professional experience. Everyone has the right to make the best choice without being limited by lack of opportunity or resources.
Alder Ramirez says congratulations. As one of three alders who work in Logan Square, Lucha is a great organization that they could always refer others to, and loves how Castañeda’s lived experience informs her work.
Alder Jeanette Taylor, says that Castañeda was already going to go to heaven. She asks why this role? Lissette said that it had to happen, found a phenomenal team, hard choice to leave the warm community, want to make sure she can work at a city-wide level.
Alder Jeanette Taylor, says that Castañeda was already going to go to heaven. She asks why this role? Lissette said that it had to happen, found a phenomenal team, hard choice to leave the warm community, want to make sure she can work at a city-wide level.
Alder La Spata, wonders what he could possibly ask that he hasn't already in the past 18 years, acknowledges that housing and roof over one’s head is just the beginning of stability in people’s lives.
Alder Moore asks how the South and West sides of Chicago compare to Logan Square? Castaneda answers that the ‘dangerous communities’ were also thirsty for investment. She states that when they make an investment, that it leads to greater choices.
Moore asks about prices, ‘a piece of wood costs a piece of wood’, but how do we get developers who are willing to build on the South side? Castañeda explains housing should not be on an island, its not just the sale price of a home as an island, but how it figures as a community.
Moore rephrases from the developer’s perspective ‘why would I build for $400,000 when it would only sell for $250,000’. Moore mentions using bond deals for affordable housing, low income tax credits, and leveraging programs from other agencies.
Alder Burnett, commends all the people who came down to rally for her, well-rounded, knowing about affordable housing and affordable development. He congratulates her and says the City of Chicago is blessed.
Vice Chair Mitchell, considering Moore’s comment, development with not just new builds but also rehabs. He is concerned about home ownership in areas that don’t have TIFFs to not be considered as a footnote.
Alder Dowell, appreciates the passion and asks if Castañeda is willing to convene for a quarterly discussion for coordination issues with all depts. Castañeda replies that informally there will be a lot of coordination as they work to streamline processes and that she is willing.
Chair Sigcho-Lopez closes out conversation before motion of appointment, addressing that their responsibilities include holding CHA, HUD, and state partners accountable. The past decisions have displaced people, disinvested neighborhoods and allowed the vulnerable to fall prey.
Chair Sigcho-Lopez is proud to see hopeful dialogue and commitment to expand home ownership and expand generational wealth.
Commissioner Castañeda is successfully appointed head of the Department of Housing at 1:25pm.
Items 2 and 3 are related to Dept of Fleet and Facility Management. Item 2) Acquisition of eight acre property with industrial building at 4130 S Morgan St for operation of Dept of Fleet and Facility Management’s Streets and Sanitation facility.
Alder La Spata, wonders why the city sold 1717 W Pershing. DPD informs that it sold for $6 million. It needed significant investment to bring it up to safe conditions, and the community was also in favor of it.
Item 3) Direct introduction for lease agreement for use of office space to service the Office of Inspector General at 231 S Lasalle St. Direct introductions are uncommon, but extensive damage from roof leak warranted expedited approval for physical space solution.
Items 4 and 5 relate to Dept of Housing. Item 4 Sale of city-owned lots at 3517, 3431, 3433, 3303 W Flournoy St+3553 W Lexington St and execution of redevelopment agreement with Homan Housing LLC for East Garfield Park affordable homes project under City Lots for Working Families
Item 5: Restructuring of loan agreement with Eric Cooperative Limited Partnership for rehabilitation of properties in the vicinity of W Huron St and N Kedzie Ave in 27th Ward.
Since building, cost of operations have risen. Solutions include a combo of: moderate increased to rent potential through conversion of ⅓ of units to 60% AMI restrictions, reduction of hard debt through payoffs and to replenish reserve for repairs.
This requires $2 million to implement and was developed in consultation with HUD to ensure viability of financial model for next 15 years.
New city financing is the only source of funds, most will go towards restructuring and necessary repairs to building facades. Development/Owner is Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp., based on NW side of Chicago w/focus on Westtown, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Avondale and Hermosa.
Alder Burnett says Bickerdike does a lot for affordable housing, and they need $ to sustain themselves. He shares that when they were first building in his ward, the community was mad because they thought it was going to be expensive condos but it was all affordable.
Item 6 in 21st ward, First amendment to right of entry agreement for time extension to inspect City property at 1325 W 119th St and certain adjacent land by West Pullman Development Partners LLC and DL3 Realty Advisors LLC.
Item 7, Sale of city-owned property at 6949 S Martin Luther King Jr Dr to Amanda Crew under Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisition Program, purchase price of $3000.
Item 8, Sale of vacant city-owned property in 28th Ward at 4259 W Monroe St to Larry Neuman and Venetia Neuman through the ChiBlockBuilder land sale platform at purchase price of $943.
Alder Dowell asks to standardize the agenda format so there are no inconsistencies like missing purchase prices or addresses that are not included. Items 9-11 were grouped together for sake of time and passed.
Item 9, Sale of vacant city-owned property in 24th Ward at 1242 S Harding Ave to Aileen Berg, at 4047 W Fifth Ave to Pamela Walker, at 4157 W Fifth Ave to Valerie Davis and at 1516 S Tripp Ave to Darnell Tubbs, Sr through the ChiBlockBuilder land sale platform.
Item 10, Sale of city-owned properties in 17th ward to selected buyers through the ChiBlockBuilder land sale platform. [Names of buyers or purchase prices were not included.]
Item 11, Sale of vacant city-owned property at 531 N Laramie St to Roman Castrejon and Jasmine Castrejon through the ChiBlockBuider land sale platform at purchase price of $944 in 37th ward.
Attachments
8 attachments
Agency Information
Chicago City Council
The Chicago City Council is the legislative branch of the government of the City of Chicago and consists of the Mayor and Aldermen elected from each of the City’s fifty wards. Source
If you attend a meeting in person, be prepared to go through a security checkpoint and show photo ID.
Meetings are also livestreamed at https://www.chicityclerk.com/.
At this link, scroll down to “Meeting Notices.” Look for “Watch now” and click on the link with the meeting title to go to a livestream page. If you don’t see a link for the meeting, you may be early or the meeting may be starting late. Wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.
Recordings of past City Council meetings may be found here: https://vimeo.com/user100351763/videos/sort:date.
See also: “What to Expect at a Meeting of Chicago’s City Council” via the Better Government Association.
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