Residents of building near Obama Presidential Center form union to fight rent hike
Some people who live in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood near the Obama Presidential Center said they are facing a tough situation — pay more rent, or lose their home.
The nearly two dozen tenants at Chaney Braggs Apartments, at 65th Street and Stony Island Avenue, said they have formed a union.
The group claims a prospective buyer for their building plans to rehab it or tear it down altogether. Either way, rent would go up.
The tenants said were joined by some other organizations Thursday morning in a push to keep their units at a price they can afford.
"I want to stay right where I'm at. I don't want to be forced out. I don't want to be told I have to leave. I want to be able to stay," said resident Kyana Butler. "I want to be able to let my daughter, and I want her to grow up in the same building I grew up in."
The building is financed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, which aims to preserve affordable housing in the state.