In a distressing turn of events, residents at a Harvey apartment complex are scrambling to find new accommodations after city officials condemned their building, citing "an imminent safety risk to those who use the stairs and balconies." Tenants linger in uncertainty, with several alleging incidents of being physically boarded up inside their units by construction crews, a claim that the property owners have outright denied.
According to NBC Chicago, Mary Brooks, a nearly four-year resident of the complex, initially dismissed the evacuation notice from December 14 as bogus, only to find out its authenticity was confirmed by the Harvey Buildings Department. Residents like Brooks, reliant on a monthly income, plead for time to gather the resources necessary for such an abrupt move. "I can’t move until I get money to move," she told NBC Chicago, underscoring the dire straits faced by many in the community.
Compounding the chaos, a video has surfaced on social media showing Harvey residents trapped after their apartments were sealed during the building's closure, which CBS News Chicago reported. The harrowing account includes one of resident Aces Price, who recounted having to flee through a window with her children, resulting in scrapes to their faces. Rudolph Williams, a 73-year-old tenant, was among those who say they were unaware of being locked in, mistaking the hammering of boards for routine construction noise.
Rudolph's nephew, James, filmed efforts to free those inside, capturing workers dismissing pleas to remove the barriers. "They walked right past me," James recounted. "I said, 'Can you come up for this window? It's a person inside this.' And he looked at me and kept on walking." Despite the turmoil, many residents find themselves shackled to the premises by financial constraints, with some using Section 8 vouchers and having paid their rent for the month.
As residents seek stability amidst upheaval, the Cook County Housing Authority has stepped forward, stating, "It has become critical for the residents to be rehomed," in a statement obtained by NBC Chicago. The authority is assisting in the relocation of residents, ensuring that the transition is "as smooth as possible." The property management company, Chicago Style Management, clarified that it played no role in the boarding up and has only been involved since being tasked with the property's reconstruction.
The property owners have responded, expressing surprise over the city's sudden evacuation order, and have committed to addressing the issues for the safety of the tenants. Discussions with the city are ongoing to extend the time for evacuation, and the management affirms that false allegations of residents being trapped were investigated and dismissed. They maintain tenant safety as their utmost priority and plan to reopen the complex in March following the necessary repairs.
