How We Can Prevent Displacement:
The Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance Explained
By Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward Alderperson
As we walk through the streets of Humboldt Park, familiar sounds of salsa music, the smell of freshly brewed café con leche, and the sight of our beautiful flag proudly waving in the wind remind us of our deep roots in this community. For generations, Humboldt Park has been our home, a place where families like yours and mine have built our homes, raised children, and woven our cultural traditions into the fabric of this neighborhood. But today, when we walk down the street we also notice things like demolitions, deconversions, and other signs that our community is facing an existential threat—gentrification and displacement. When I was elected to be your Alderperson I committed to protecting naturally occurring affordable housing and fighting for working families who are currently being priced out.
The skyrocketing property taxes, rising rents, and conversion of our historic two- and three-flats into luxury single-family homes are leaving many families with no option other than to move out of the very community they’ve built. As your Alderperson, I hear your concerns, and I share your fears. This is why I am sponsoring the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance, a bold new policy initiative (that builds on the success of the 606-Pilsen Demolition Permit Surcharge Ordinance) which is designed to protect and preserve housing affordability in Humboldt Park, West Town, Logan Square, Hermosa, and Avondale.
The Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance is rooted in one simple principle: our neighborhoods belong to the people who live here, not to developers looking to make a quick profit at our expense. This ordinance aims to protect the very essence of Humboldt Park, West Town, Logan Square, Hermosa, and Avondale by focusing on four key areas:
1. Protecting Historic Homes from Demolition
Under this ordinance, developers who want to demolish our cherished two-flats, three-flats, and four-flats will be required to pay a significant surcharge—$20,000 per unit or $60,000 per building, whichever is higher. This is not just a fee; it's a safeguard. The funds raised will go directly to the Chicago Housing Trust and the Here to Stay Community Land Trust, organizations dedicated to creating new affordable homeownership opportunities right here in our neighborhoods.
2. Preventing the Conversion of Multi-Family Homes into Luxury Single-Family Houses
Our community thrives on the diversity and density of our housing stock. When multi-family homes are converted into luxury single-family houses, it not only displaces residents, it drives up property taxes for everyone. This ordinance will disallow such conversions on blocks where most buildings are multi-family, helping to rein in rising property taxes and keeping our naturally occurring affordable housing stock in place.
3. Empowering Tenants with the Right of First Refusal
For too long, tenants have been at the mercy of landlords selling their buildings to the highest bidder, often leading to eviction and displacement. This ordinance will change that by giving tenants the right of first refusal when their building goes on sale. Tenants will have 30 days (for buildings with four units or less) or 60 days (for buildings with five units or more) to match any offer made by a third party. This empowers our residents to stay in their homes and maintain the stability of our community.
4. Legalizing the Construction of New Two-Flats "By Right"
The ordinance also looks to the future by allowing the construction of new two-flats by-right in areas currently only zoned for single-family homes. This will increase the availability of naturally occurring affordable middle housing in our community, ensuring that future generations can find a home in Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Hermosa, and Avondale.
Why This Matters Now
This isn’t just about preserving buildings — it's about preserving the heart and soul of our neighborhoods. It's about ensuring that our children and grandchildren can grow up in the same vibrant, diverse, and affordable community that we call home.
I urge you to support this ordinance and to make your voice heard by emailing your local alderperson and letting them know that you stand with us in preserving the Northwest Side for generations to come.
Together, we can ensure communities like Humboldt Park remain a place where our culture thrives, where families can live without fear of displacement, and where our community can grow. While there’s more work to do, the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance is a critical step in that direction.
Let's preserve what we’ve built.