Residents displaced in Chicago’s January 2023 skyscraper fire are asking for help because they still can’t return home.
The devastating fire ravaged the Harper Square Co-op building nearly two years ago, and its fallout traumatized those who lived in the affected areas of the building.
“I want to go home. I want to return to the place I shared with my husband for 35 years,” Joy Anderson-Woodfolk said.
Although many residents said they were initially told repairs would take three to four months, nearly 200 people remain displaced nearly two years after the fire.
“We understand that something takes time – but we think it took too long,” said resident Mildred Richardson.
Some of the displaced residents are still living with family members or friends, while others are considering signing a lease for temporary housing arrangements.
Concerned residents shared their experiences Wednesday at Morning Star Baptist Church, with future legal action possible.
“My main concern is the lack of transparency — every time the move-in date gets pushed back — we’re told the city has to do an inspection,” Anderson-Woodfolk said.
Resident Melinda Jordan told NBC Chicago it was hard to believe there wasn’t more support for residents, some of whom have lived in the building for several decades.
NBC Chicago did not receive a response to a request for comment on the building’s ownership, although the Chicago Building Department provided the following statement:
“Currently, all 143 units of the east structure remain vacant due to ongoing repair work. The Department of Buildings and the Fire Department are required to ensure compliance with the building and fire provisions of the Chicago Building Codes prior to construction. can be reoccupied. »
