HSPRD, last week filed a class action lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against Presbyterian Homes on behalf of elderly residents of three Chicago subsidized-rent apartment buildings. The nonprofit that runs the buildings had told the residents this summer that the units will be sold and they will have to move out.
The lawsuit alleges Presbyterian Homes’ plan to sell the buildings and force out the residents violates their “lifetime leases” as well as the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
The lawsuit states that the residents, all senior citizens, many with disabilities, and most on fixed incomes, face a future without a home they can afford. The six named plaintiffs are longtime residents of Chicago who, like the rest of the residents, were informed by Presbyterian House and understood they could remain in their residence and their community for life.
The lawsuits seeks an order requiring Presbyterian Homes to honor the leases, an injunction to protect the seniors from being evicted, and assistance for those who have already been forced to leave.
ONE Northside and Jane Addams Senior Caucus are organizing the residents and helping them retain their affordable housing.
Attorneys Matthew Piers, Charlie Wysong and paralegal Monica Chavez of HSPRD are representing the residents. The residents and the community organizers joined HSPRD in holding a press conference on Friday October 16, 2015 to announce the filing of the lawsuit. Several media outlets covered the press conference and have reported on the case.
Please read our press release and links to the media coverage below:
Mark Brown in the Sun Times
Sun Times
Chicago Tribune
CBS/WBBM
CLTV (WGN news)
Progress Illinois
ABC7
