CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Residents of an apartment building in the South Shore neighborhood that lost heat and hot water at the beginning of January believe the property management company is trying to get them out permanently.
The tenants of the 3-story 30-unit courtyard building on the 6700 block of South Paxton have been living in a hotel since the heat and hot water went out.
Civi Miles is among them.
“This experience that we’ve been going through has been very traumatic. It’s brought me to tears, my wife to tears, my children are sick," he said "I have a newborn that they seem to care nothing about who recently got diagnosed with RSV.”
Miles said Catalyst Realty is paying for hotel rooms until Monday. Tenants said they were told they could come back then, temporarily, but they have to find other places to live.
Lindara Denton said they’ve been shown other apartments and they’re not livable and cost more.
“Mold and cracked up floors, that’s unacceptable. Animal feces, everything just all over the place. The door was half broken into, no.”
This building is a half block from the Jackson Park Golf Course and near the Obama Center. The residents believe Catalyst Reality wants them out for good to take advantage of higher rents.
They’re paying $760 to $1,250 a month now.
“I understand it’s business but there’s a better way to do it," Miles said.
WBBM has reached out to Catalyst Realty for comment. The company has not responded.
Related
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram