On February 13th, the tenants of 2014, 2018, and 2024 Wesley Avenue received letters and other documents from the city telling them they needed to “move out of their apartments immediately for their safety and well-being.” The letter itself had language which confused residents prompting them to show up to a Housing and Community Development Committee meeting. Tenants were incredibly upset at the idea of losing their homes. They viewed what was being offered to the them (1 year subsidized rental assistance, moving assistance, storage up to 6 months, and extended stays at hotels) as inadequate. City of Evanston officials had stated any repairs or reconstruction would take at least 3 years to complete. Without guaranteed stability after year 1 of rental assistance, potential homelessness became a worry for many elderly tenants on fixed incomes.

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Local organizations began assisting in organizing efforts and coordinated meetings between the City of Evanston and the tenants to discuss what the City should provide. In addition to the City's original offer, the tenants had asked the subsidized housing to match the length of repairs, a right to return to their homes following repairs, transportation assistance, return of their security deposit, and their rent paid as tenants claimed HODC had mismanaged the property and had been dismissive to their needs. The City of Evanston denied the request for 3 years but added a 2nd qualifying year to those who's incomes had not increased. The right to return would not be guaranteed as the City of Evanston could not promise what would happen to the property. Additionally, they would not commit to helping fund the stair repair unless a full code rehab was completed as well. With the price of a full code rehab too high for any community nonprofit, the property's fate is unknown.

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As half of the tenants have left, many still believe what the City is offering is not enough. Without stability, their future remains in question as there is no guarantee they will have affordable housing after year 2.

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To learn more, view the following links:

• https://evanstonroundtable.com/2024/04/10/evanston-wesley-avenue-tenants-relocation/

• https://dailynorthwestern.com/2024/04/19/lateststories/equity-and-empowerment-commission-recommends-additional-support-for-wesley-residents/

• https://www.cityofevanston.org/residents/wesley-apartments-building-information

• https://evanstonroundtable.com/2024/02/21/city-tells-wesley-avenue-residents-to-vacate-amid-safety-concerns/