Sun-Times Article Explains the Impact of ICE Activities on Local Housing Providers

Hear the Voice and Learn of the Concerns of Responsible Neighborhood Housing Providers

Dear Neighborhood Housing Industry Colleagues and Friends;

If you are like me, you are closely following the recent activities of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) and their detention and deportation of people they suspect of being undocumented.

Opinions may vary as to the legitimacy of these actions and the appropriateness of the methods used to carry them out, but one thing is for certain. ICE is engendering fear among large segments of our population, including those who are in our nation legally.

This in turn has affected our ability to operate multifamily housing and serve our residents. Many of our tenants are afraid to leave their apartments and many of our employees and contractors are afraid to work at our buildings.

The Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday published a front-page story exploring this issue from the perspective of several of our members.

Given that these policies may remain in effect throughout the duration of the Trump Administration, and possibly beyond, it’s important for us all to consider the impact of ICE’s enforcement policies on our industry. Chicago is a city of immigrants, in various stages of documentation, and our industry serves those communities and often relies on those communities to maintain and work on our properties.

What impact do these enforcement actions have on neighborhood housing, especially at a time when all stakeholders are seeking ways to create more quality affordable housing?

NBOA Director & President of the West Suburban Building Owners Association,

John Warren. (Photo by Anthony Vazquez of the Chicago Sun-Times)

At the reporter’s request, the NBOA connected her with housing providers who could speak about these issues from their personal experience.

We thank these housing providers for sharing their stories. Clearly, current immigration enforcement policies are substantially affecting us as owners and managers, as well as our staff and our tenants.

Please take the time to read this Sun-Times account and think about the questions it raises.

How do these policies affect our operations?

How do these policies affect the people who work for us and with us?

How do these policies affect our residents?

Should we respond, and, if so, how?

Chicago Sun-Times Cover Story about the Impact of ICE Raids on Multifamily

Feel free to reach out to us if you would like to share with us the impact of these policies on your operations, Unless you express otherwise, we will hold your name confidential.

Michael Glasser

NBOA President