Bring Chicago Home town hall set for May 15 at the Chicago Temple

By Nick Jefferson

Associate Director of Organizing, Strategic Campaigns

Bring Chicago Home’s innovative solution to tackle homelessness in Chicago will be featured at a May 15 town hall, with the public invited to attend the downtown event.

Speaking at the town hall will be Chicago aldermen and community members who are committed to making this solution a priority in the first 100 days of the new Lightfoot administration.

To attend, register HERE.

When: Wednesday, May 15, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington

Why: Chicago needs a BIG solution to end homelessness

For decades, the city of Chicago has failed to advance a solution to address the growing number of people who experience homelessness. As a result, more than 80,000 Chicagoans are homeless each year. This includes those who live on the streets, in shelters, or “doubled-up” – staying with a friend of family member due to hardship, often in over-crowded, unreliable situations.

The lack of stable housing for many Chicagoans plays a major role in exacerbating systemic inequities that plague our city. To address this massive problem, the Bring Chicago Home coalition – over 80 organizations throughout Chicago – aims to raise the real estate transfer tax (RETT) by 1.2 percentage points on properties that sell for over $1 million. This would generate an estimated $150 million a year for permanent supportive housing, a proven model that links housing with services to ensure long-term stability for people who have coped with homelessness.

Our town hall comes at a critical moment for Chicago: Less than one week after the event, a new mayor and city council will be sworn in. Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot campaigned on being a mayor for the people. Raising the RETT to increase funds to address homelessness was a critical piece of her platform.

To date, more than 30 aldermen in the new City Council have committed to support the Bring Chicago Home resolution, which would add a ballot question asking voters whether to raise the RETT.

The coalition working for Bring Chicago Home is made up of community, policy, and labor organizations from across Chicago. If you or your organization are interested in getting more involved, contact Nick Jefferson at nick@chicagohomelessness.org