In what seems to be a gesture of monumental kindness amidst a pressing crisis, Chicago property owner Chris Amatore is turning the tide for migrants by opening up his buildings to those in desperate need of shelter. With the city's shelters facing stringent limitations and budget constraints threatening to leave thousands on the streets, Amatore's buildings have become a beacon of hope for many. "What were we supposed to do?" Joselin Mendoza, one of the migrants staying in Amatore's building in Roseland, asked the Chicago Tribune.
Amatore, driven by his desire to help, has already spent $150,000 of his own money to shelter close to 500 migrants across 15 buildings in the city. This development has come to the attention of residents and city officials alike, garnering a mix of praise and criticism. Faced with an ever-growing number of asylum seekers and a strained public housing system, Chicago has found itself grappling with how to provide for the newcomers. The city, according to reports by the Chicago Tribune, plans to evict migrants who have exceeded a 60-day stay in temporary shelters as of March, fiercely working to find them more permanent solutions.
Meanwhile, CBS Chicago learned that the unconventional host, also CEO of Manage Chicago, saw the urgent need firsthand and couldn't ignore it. "I worship God. I don't worship money," Amatore told CBS, explaining his motivation for using his resources to aid asylum seekers. Known for his generous acts towards those in need, Amatore has not just provided housing but also basic necessities like food and bedding.
The relentless determination of Amatore to facilitate a haven contrasts sharply with the bureaucratic challenges posed by the city's housing crunch. Mary May, a spokesperson for the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications, told the Chicago Tribune, "By concentrating our resources into a shorter time frame, we can help new arrivals achieve outmigration and resettlement more efficiently." However, with federal funding for resettlement dried up, many migrants, particularly those arriving after Nov. 17, are finding themselves without assistance or options. The makeshift housing arrangements have given them a reprieve from the brutal Chicago winter, but uncertainty still looms large.
What seems to simply be a kind-hearted enterprise by Amatore has not been free from conflict. Engaging in tense exchanges with local authorities, he has clashed with Ald. Greg Mitchell, 7th, over the status of his buildings hosting migrants in the alderman's ward. Per the Tribune, Amatore reported a heated confrontation that ended with him filing a complaint with Inspector General Deborah Witzburg. Despite the friction, the entrepreneur remains steadfast in his mission, raising a call for further action from the mayoral administration to streamline the resettlement process.
With the city's shelters almost full and the administration grappling with how best to support the migrants, private citizens like Amatore are stepping into the breach. He stands as an example of how individuals can make a direct impact in response to the broader societal issue of homelessness and displacement. As the situation unfolds, the eyes of the city remain fixed on how the mix of governmental action and private intervention will address the looming crisis on Chicago’s streets.
