Tenants in a South Shore apartment building that has been at the center of controversy in recent months were forced to move out Friday after a judge ordered the building vacated due to unlivable conditions.
The building in the 7500 block of South South Shore Drive was at the center of an immigration raid back in September.
Some tenants told NBC Chicago they’re still trying to find a safe place to call home ahead of dangerously cold conditions in store this weekend.
With two bags to his name, Winfred Johnson is trying to figure out his next move.
“A very tough situation that we’re in right now,” he said. “I don’t have anywhere to go.”
Friday marked the deadline for the 71-year-old Army veteran and his neighbors to move out of their building.
“Cold, lonely, lost, confused, don’t know where we’re going to go,” said fellow tenant Candace Stewart. “It’s scary and it’s in the dead of winter.”
Stewart said she’s waiting to receive assistance from Catholic Charities.
“It’s Christmas time, you know? It’s about to be the New Year,” she said through tears. “But what did we do to deserve this?”
Her building made national headlines in September when federal agents conducted an immigration enforcement at the property. The turn of events brought to light what residents described as ongoing issues inside the building.
“No gas, no water, at times the elevators were not working,” said Rochelle Conner, a former building tenant. “It was just disgusting, and I had to get out of here, you know? I deserve better than this.”
Conner told NBC Chicago she lived here for seven years and moved out the day after the immigration raids.
The building’s owner has been litigating with the city over code violations and has not responded to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.
Earlier this week the tenants’ union filed an emergency motion asking a judge to buy more time for residents to vacate. But the judge denied that request calling the building a dire hazard and a fire trap.
Some community groups were out Friday morning offering support with the move.
“We’re helping folks get a place to go, we’re helping folks get set up and get good,” said Dixon Romeo, executive director of Southside Together.
Romeo said many tenants moved out Thursday and that more than 40 have accepted the relocation assistance of up to $5,000 from the court’s receiver.
“Some people got hotels, but that’s temporary until they can move into their units,” he said.
As for Johnson, he’s not giving up hope and leaning on faith to get through this challenging time.
“It’s just hard, but I know God is here throughout it all,” he said. “I know God is trying to work something out.”
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