Rachel Hinton

2 weeks ago | blockclubchicago.org | Rachel Hinton

CHICAGO — After living off and on in a tent, William Davis desperately needed a stable home. Though he worked as a handyman, Davis couldn’t afford rent for an apartment, he said. So last year, he allowed outreach workers to add his name to thousands of others in the city’s database of people in need of housing. Then he waited to hear back — and waited some more. Davis, 48, called every few weeks to make sure he was still in the system.

Dec 13, 2024 | blockclubchicago.org | Rachel Hinton

ROGERS PARK — Finally feeling better after a few weeks of illness, Georgette Flowers thought she would make some brownies. But as she preheated her oven, a mouse scampered out. “This critter must have been hungry and smelled the butter and everything,” Flowers said. It was just the latest rodent Flowers had been forced to deal with at her Chicago Housing Authority building. She’d heard them scurrying in the walls off and on for years. She’d even found one in a cabinet.

Oct 31, 2024 | blockclubchicago.org | Rachel Hinton

CHICAGO — The governing body that oversees the Chicago Housing Authority officially appointed its chair as temporary CEO of the agency in preparation for its current leader’s exit on Friday. The agency’s board of commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to appoint Angela Hurlock as the interim replacement for outgoing CEO Tracey Scott until a permanent leader can be found. Hurlock recused herself from the vote. Vice chair Matthew Brewer will now lead the board, at least temporarily.

Oct 29, 2024 | blockclubchicago.org | Rachel Hinton |Mick Dumke

CHICAGO — Chicago Housing Authority CEO Tracey Scott is leaving the agency after four and a half years, a stretch when the CHA faced growing criticism for letting hundreds of homes deteriorate or sit empty during a housing crisis. In a statement released by the CHA, Mayor Brandon Johnson thanked Scott for her “steadfast leadership.” Behind the official announcement, though, Johnson is cleaning house at the CHA, multiple sources told Block Club.

Sep 24, 2024 | blockclubchicago.org | Rachel Hinton

CHICAGO — The meeting was tense before it even began. Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) repeatedly warned the public housing residents, advocates, allies and neighbors amassed in City Council chambers that anyone who disrupted the housing committee meeting would be removed from the room. Then came the public comment part of the May meeting. One resident after another sounded off about issues plaguing properties owned by the Chicago Housing Authority.