300 Empty Units? Open them UP! Lathrop Homes residents are Ready With a Vision

“Why are these units vacant?” shouted Cynthia Scott, as she gestured behind her to the boarded-up apartments at the low-rise Lathrop Homes public housing development.   “Keeping these units empty, in the midst of an economic and housing crisis, is a terrible waste.  CHA, open them up for people who need housing!”

Scott, a member of the Lathrop Leadership Team, spoke to 200 residents and supporters at a rally October 23.  Under the Team’s proposal, CHA could house families, including military veterans with children who need affordable housing.  That would generate rental income, keep Lathrop’s buildings in good condition and prevent crime by leasing the units.

Today, 600 of Lathrop’s 900 units are empty.  In 1999, when CHA began its “Plan for Transformation” of public housing, it listed Lathrop as “TBD” – to be determined.  Nine years later, there is still no plan.  Meanwhile, the CHA has refused to lease any new units.  But many units are still in good shape.

Leasing 300 of the empty units now would be a positive first step toward the long-term revitalization of Lathrop Homes, community leaders said.

The Lathrop Leadership Team, a coalition of residents and agency leaders organized by LSNA to preserve the affordable Lathrop apartments, has championed a vision for the development as a mix of public housing, affordable rental and affordable home ownership – without market rate.

Lathrop is surrounded by market rate homes.  “There’s no need for more condos here,” said Juanita Stevenson, president of the Lathrop Homes Local Advisory Council.  “There’s only greed for more condos here.”

A low-rise development, Lathrop is the city’s most diverse public housing neighborhood, with a blend of African-American, Latino and white families – both low-income and working class.   It served as a port of entry to Chicago for Puerto Rico migrants, and a gateway to the North Side for African-American families.