CHA Eviction Cases on the Rise

By: Stephen J. StanisAs the Chicago Housing Authority stepped up the relocation of residents displaced from the agency’s distressed housing complexes, the agency has also drastically increased the number of eviction cases it files. Filings rose from 2,634 to 4,733 between 1994 and 1998. CHA officials say that they file eviction cases to spur rent collection. But tenant leaders argue the filings are aimed at pushing families out of the developments. And tenants served with the lawsuits are rarely evicted. In 1997, the agency filed 3,744 lawsuits, but evicted only 459 tenants. The CHA counts an eviction only when agency police remove tenants from their homes. And critics have also said some tenants do not fight the evictions, but simply leave public housing on their own. For more details read "CHA Families Exit As Eviction Threat Grows."