Record #: O2014-5685   
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
Intro date: 6/25/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Housing and Real Estate
Final action: 7/30/2014
Title: Moratorium on issuance of permits for conversion or demolition of existing single-room occupancy buildings and residential hotels
Sponsors: Emanuel, Rahm, Burns, William D., Burnett, Jr., Walter, Moreno, Proco Joe, Pawar, Ameya, Moore, Joseph, Smith, Michele, Dowell, Pat, Lane, Lona, Reboyras, Ariel, Suarez, Regner Ray, Thompson, JoAnn
Topic: PROPERTY - Demolition & Demolition Lien
Attachments: 1. O2014-5685.pdf
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is a home-rule unit of government under Article VII, Section 6(a) ofthe 1970 Constitution ofthe State of Illinois, and, as such, may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs; and
WHEREAS, The City's home-rule authority includes the power to enact ordinances and regulations aimed at helping individuals and families facing homelessness in Chicago gain access to safe, decent, and affordable housing, as well as the power to provide the support needed to sustain that housing; and
WHEREAS, Single-room occupancy buildings (SROs) and residential hotels are often the housing of last resort for the poor; and

WHEREAS, The City Council has determined that SROs and residential hotels are an essential component of the City's affordable housing supply; and
WHEREAS, SROs and residential hotels are increasingly scarce due to sale and other market forces; and
WHEREAS, The number of SROs and residential hotels in Chicago has declined dramatically in recent years. At the beginning of 2009, there were 103 licensed SROs in the City; today, there are only 73. From 2011 to date, developers have converted more than 1,600 SRO and residential hotel units to different uses. For example, the City lost 430 units when the Belair Hotel and Sheffield House closed in 2011. And 2013 saw the closing of the 190-unit Tokyo Hotel, the 138-unit Chateau Hotel, and the 100-unit New Jackson Hotel; and

WHEREAS, The loss of these effectively irreplaceable forms of affordable housing could force low income households into homelessness, subjecting many more persons and families to inhumane living conditions and increased crime; and
WHEREAS, Increased numbers of homeless persons would add to the already practically overwhelming burden on public and non-profit agencies that provide protective care, social services, healthcare, psychological counseling, nutritional programs, and other necessary support to this population; and

WHER...

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