Tenants and community members gathered Thursday to demand that either 46th Alderman James Cappleman or the new owner of the Hotel Chateau to protect current residents from possible homelessness.
The Chateau, a single-room-occupancy hotel located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, has functioned as the housing of last resort for the working poor in the area for decades. It has housed minimum-wage workers, those on fixed incomes and those with bad credit.
The building was recently sold and will be gutted and rehabbed. The residents fear it will be reopened as higher-end studio apartments like other former SROs in the neighborhood.
“If they close Chateau down, where will these people go,” said concerned resident Anne Sullivan.
Tenants and community members gathered on March 7 to demand that action be taken by either 46th Alderman James Cappleman or the new owner of Hotel Chateau. They are seeking to protect current residents from possible homelessness in Lakeview on March 7. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Hotel Chateau resident Doug Rodney Newkirk watched the protest from the opposite side of the street. "It's hard to find a new place to live," he said. "The background check is hard to pass." Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Protestors gathered for a press conference to demand that action be taken to protect current residents from possible homelessness. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A protestor held a sign urging the new owner of Hotel Chateau to "stop displacing" current residents. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
The crowd marched past neighboring business while demanding that action be taken by either 46th Alderman James Cappleman or the new owner of Hotel Chateau to protect current residents from possible homelessness. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Protestors listened to current residents speak during a press conference held at Hotel Chateau. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
A protestor shouted "affordable living for all" in front of Hotel Chateau. Photo by Jonathan Gibby
Hotel Chateau resident Yolanda Johnson exited the building during a demonstration. Photo by Jonathan Gibby