On The Northwest Side Eviction And Gentrification Go Hand In Hand

Part one of a two-part series. Read part two here.

       As the northwest side continues to gentrify, evictions in this part of town have become increasingly common, organizers say. And among those most vulnerable to eviction are immigrant renters who don’t have written leases.



                   Then, in early October, “my landlord gave me [verbal] notice that if I didn’t leave in 24 hours they were going to throw out me and my belongings,” Hernandez says. “I tried to pay my rent, and they told me that I had to leave.”

—Renter Rosalinda Hernandez

                   But Hernandez’s strategy backfired. In April, 212 took her to eviction court on the grounds of nonpayment of rent. She ultimately lost her case, and was evicted by the sheriff’s office in July. 


                   There’s no official data on how many people in Chicago are living without leases, but organizers say it’s extremely common among the low-income immigrant populations they serve.