When The City Turns Cold, Homeless Families Seek A Refuge While Proponents Laud 'Bring Chicago Home' Proposal
“Ultimately, this is a federal issue. Whether it’s poor black or white person in Chicago or a poor migrant—it’s a human being. We’ve lost our humanity..." Father Michael L. Pfleger, Pastor St. Sabina.
By Grace Beyer
LINES. SLEEPY CHILDREN. FEWER meals on the table than necessary to satisfy the need. Much fewer than those who have assembled inside a South Side Catholic church this early Wednesday winter’s morning.
Tiny eyes peer up at their parents. Grip their hands. Rest their heads on weary shoulders. Children and their parents observe the strangers around them—strangers who, in a sense, appear no different from them.
And yet, the difference among many of those who gathered at the Faith Community of St. Sabina, even if not immediately clear, is that they now find themselves homeless in a city where signs of a widening crisis have become undeniable and glaring: People begging for coins. Tent cities. Cardboard signs stained with pleading words for help.
Brothers and sisters curled up along the streets within this concrete jungle that stretches for miles and miles. Women and children begging for crumbs. People searching for the next meal. The next mattress. The next roof. Fighting for life and breath.
All of these are reminders of a hidden side of Chicago—perhaps a side that some people might not want others to see. Perhaps a side people don’t see at all.
Except for many observers, analysts and activists here, the homelessness crisis in Chicago has become as unignorable as the city’s skyline. According to a report by the city of Chicago, 68,440 people experienced homelessness in 2021—an increase of 2,829 people from the year prior.
Despite the city spending millions to deal with homelessness, the issue persists. In fact, modest increases in the Homeless Services budget, from $17 million in 2023 to $21.5 million in 2024, and the Homeless Services Fund, from $12.4 million in 2023 to $13.7 million in 2024, barely scratch the surface of positively impacting the homelessness crisis in Chicago, some activists say.
INDEED THE CHICAGO COALITION for the Homeless has expressed dissatisfaction with the situation—frustrated that tens of thousands of people don’t have permanent roofs over their heads. They say they are angry that government has, in their opinion, so far failed to adequately address the crisis, but more recently have contended that there may be at least one way to generate more revenue without hitting people in the pocketbook year after year. Their solution? Bring Chicago Home.
The “Bring Chicago Home” initiative aims to generate revenue—an anticipated $100 million per year— to provide affordable housing and combat homelessness. The proposal appeared on primary election ballots across Chicago on March 19.
“It’s not something that will affect [most] property owners… It will actually be a benefit to them,” said Michael Nameche, director of development at Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
In fact, by restructuring a one-time tax on properties, called the Real Estate Transfer Tax, or RETT, the change will only affect those who own properties that are priced at over $1 million dollars—less than 5% of properties in Chicago. Roughly 93% of properties would see a reduced tax on their properties, according to an analysis.
“The truth is that right in the core of this ballot initiative that we have worked five years for is a massive, massive change in how … Chicago deals with homelessness,” said Nameche, who supports the proposal.
“Thousands of people will access housing if enough voters vote ‘yes’ on March 19. Thousands,” Nameche continued. “This will be the biggest thing that Chicago has done ever for homelessness.”
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless seeks through action and advocacy to help those who are experiencing homelessness, according to the organization’s literature. Nameche has worked at the Coalition for the last 18 years.
“What we’re pushing is not just something that somebody came up with in their office. It’s based on real data and real-life stories,” said Nameche, regarding the Coalition’s role in the campaign. “If we push for funding, we will not see a dime of it. That’s advocacy.”
Others also laud the proposed “Bring Chicago Home” ordinance, saying that it could initiate positive change for the city’s “unhoused.”
“This money is going to be used strictly for homelessness. Strictly for housing, and for the supportive services that [people] need,” said Myron Byrd, a grassroots leader and outreach assistant for the Coalition.
Byrd, who said he once experienced homelessness, was emotional over the potential passage of Bring Chicago Home.
“Do you know how they say when you when the lottery, you feel overjoyed, excited, and everything?” Byrd said. “When this is passed in March, that’s how it’s going to feel for us.”
Not everyone, however, is as optimistic.
“There are interest [groups] out there that want to paint this as a property tax increase, or a rent increase,” said Nameche.
In fact, the proposal started receiving backlash from property owners and developers for combining a desirable outcome—a tax cut for properties under $1 million—and undesirable outcome—a tax increase for properties over $1 million—into one policy.
Even Nameche expressed concerns about the wording of the proposal.
“The language of the bill is … concerning for reasons that make sense in some ways… The check box is going to be after a solid three-quarters of the page of language. So, if you’re not prepared, and you don’t know what it means, you might skip it,” Nameche said.
Although the proposal was ruled invalid by a Cook County judge in late February for its lack of clarity and concerns over its constitutionality, the question remained on the ballot as the March election approached, and in fact, failed in the end to pass.
Regardless of the decision, Bring Chicago Home would have been far from a cure all.
“Bring Chicago Home is a good project, I think it’s an important thing. I think it’s a drop in the bucket to what’s needed, though,” said Father Michael Pfleger, a social activist and senior pastor of The Faith Community of St. Sabina.
Whatever the solution, activists like Pfleger emphasize the nation’s responsibility to better address the issue.
“Ultimately, this is a federal issue,” he said, emphasizing the magnitude and depth of the crisis. “Whether it’s poor black or white person in Chicago, or a poor migrant—it’s a human being. We’ve lost our humanity. We’ve lost our moral conviction.”
PFLEGER IS CALLING FOR the Democratic National Convention not to be held in Chicago this summer unless the city receives more federal funding for homelessness in Chicago.
“We’re going to keep the pressure up,” Pfleger said. “What’s difficult is, trying to convince people—forget the government—that this is a moral issue we should be concerned about.”
Days later, evidence of that need was clear at St. Sabina, where the church distributes food, clothes, McDonald’s cards and other items to families in need.
That morning, paper bag breakfasts disappeared within minutes. A melting pot of a line winded down the hall and up the stairs of the Church’s basement. Winter clothing and small children’s toys were piled up for the taking.
A gentle murmur emanated from the adults and children as they studied the limited resources available. Mothers and fathers searched, hoping to find something to clothe, feed, or support their young children. Grateful smiles. Hopeful eyes. And a glaring reality.
“The problem didn’t get this bad overnight, and the solution is not going to happen overnight,” said Nameche. “However, we need to get started…”
The families nestle their food and clothes for the day securely in their arms. Then they climb the stairs of St. Sabina and walk through the giant wooden doors into the morning sunshine and cold.
Email: gracebeyer12@gmail.com
Editors Note: The Bring Chicago Home referendum failed in the March election with 53 percent voting against the measure to 47 percent of votes in support.
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