Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward) publicly pledged to be another co-sponsor of the affordable housing ordinance during Sweet Home Chicago’s monthly meeting, an Oct. 29 event at the Chicago Temple organized by Jane Addams Senior Caucus.
More than 220 people were in attendance, mobilized by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) and 11 other community and labor groups that partner on Sweet Home Chicago.
In a filmed interview, Ald. Moore pledged to co-sponsor the Sweet Home ordinance, which calls for 20% of Chicago’s tax-increment financing (TIF) funds to be devoted to the development and preservation of affordable housing.
At the same meeting, Alderman TomTunney (44th) promised to work with Sweet Home Chicago on the language in the ordinance to make it something to which he could sign on as a co-sponsor.
“Affordable housing is necessary for the vitality and economic diversity of my ward,” Ald. Tunney said.
CCH brought 25 homeless people to the event, including homeless leader Sonovia Petty.
“If people who need affordable housing fight to get it,” said Sonovia, “their victory will inspire them to fight for other things, like jobs, schooling, child care, health care, and mental health services.”
Beth Will, a homeless leader from the Austin neighborhood, agreed. “Ultimately, we’re fighting for all the things that a person needs to be in the pursuit of happiness,” Beth said.
Partners on the Sweet Home Chicago campaign are CCH, Action Now, Albany Park Neighborhood Council, Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp., Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, Lakeview Action Coalition, Organization of the North East, SEIU Healthcare Indiana/Illinois, SEIU Local 1, and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 881. Aldermen Walter Burnett (24th) and Manny Flores (1st) are chief sponsors of the housing ordinance.
- Becca Kupferberg, Organizing Intern
