CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A ribbon-cutting in Englewood this weekend was a chance to celebrate the renovation of a once-vacant apartment building and a sign of other potential opportunities.
The Stewart Building near 65th Street and Stewart Avenue is accepting tenants for 42 units of affordable housing.
Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer joined other politicians in marking its transformation after sitting vacant for 15 years.
"It wasn't developed with public money. It was a private effort that came forward to rehab it in cooperation with the Cook County Land Bank Authority. And now you're going to see 42 families able to make this their home," Gainer said.
Gainer and others are pushing for a change in state law to reduce penalties on homes and buildings where the owner is delinquent on property taxes.
So, instead of going to the highest bidder at a scavenger sale, municipalities and agencies like the Land Bank can help community-based developers buy and rehab them, returning them to the tax rolls and providing affordable housing.
President Preckwinkle to announce support for Homeowner Relief and Community Recovery ActPresident Preckwinkle will join the Cook County Land Bank Authority, Commissioner Bridget Gainer, and Rep. Lakesia Collins for a ribbon cutting ceremony in Englewood to announce support for the Homeowner Relief and Community Recove
Posted by Toni Preckwinkle on Saturday, April 10, 2021
