The following is a statement from The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus on the 60 Day Shelter Eviction Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2024

CHICAGO - Today, Mayor Johnson’s administration announced that they will move forward with their 60 Day Shelter Eviction Policy. Beginning this Sunday and by the end of April, as many as 2,026 people will be evicted from city shelters, losing the only roof they have over their heads. While our caucus acknowledges this unprecedented challenge has no ideal solutions, we do not believe anyone should be evicted from city shelters without a path to permanent housing. Put simply, we do not support increasing Chicago’s un-housed population.

Our caucus recognizes recent updates to the 60 day policy spare a majority of current shelter residents from eviction, including shelter residents who qualify for state-funded housing, are under threat of domestic violence, children under 18, and families in response to our ongoing advocacy around this issue. These updates will ensure that children enrolled in our Chicago Public Schools are able to finish the school year uninterrupted. What we don’t yet know is what will happen to those same children once the school year ends if their families do not find permanent housing prior to June 10, 2024.

We know that this crisis is largely the result of inaction by the Federal government, which unfairly decides what populations are supported when they are admitted to the United States and which aren’t. No one wants to make their home in a shelter. New arrivals want to work and contribute to our economy, find a home, and rebuild their lives here in our great city – they just need some grace and support as they make their way and get their footing, as any of us would need in a similar situation.

After the challenges created by policy at the Federal level, a need for more funding at the state level, and now a 60 Day policy that will increase our city’s un-housed population, the Latino Caucus demands the following:

1. Increased transparency, communication, and partnership from the Johnson administration so that we can help in creating solutions, this includes a meeting with our city’s Budget Director to determine what additional funds are needed to prevent anyone from being evicted from city shelters in the coming months;

2. While we work towards ending the 60 day policy, the city provides transportation to the landing zone for individuals who need it and robust case management post eviction.

We can do better and we will do better for our newest Chicagoans as a city. We invite Mayor Johnson to partner with us to do so.

###