Your Top 2 Ideas for Plan 2.0 : Browse Recent Ideas

What are your ideas as CHA recalibrates the Plan for Transformation?

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• 1 vote

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  Chicago needs to integrate its schools and neighborhoods.

  Chicago needs to bus the kids to school integrate it's schools and it's neighborhoods. After living in both Minneapolis, Mn and Springfield, IL just to get help with housing I really seen how backwards and segregated Chicago really is. I like the Northside of Chicago it reminds me a lot of the rest of the integrated world. We need to start making it to where our kids can experience different races cultures and backgrounds. ...more »

  Chicago needs to bus the kids to school integrate it's schools and it's neighborhoods. After living in both Minneapolis, Mn and Springfield, IL just to get help with housing I really seen how backwards and segregated Chicago really is. I like the Northside of Chicago it reminds me a lot of the rest of the integrated world. We need to start making it to where our kids can experience different races cultures and backgrounds. We need to fix the educational system in Chicago also. If we do that and get some jobs here then we will be able to work out the housing situation here. The cost of living in Chicago is very high and it's crazy we cant even walk around outside without body armour on. I hear that the minimum wage in Illinois is going up july 2012 from 8.25 to 10.00. I hope it do that will be a big help. Cha we need your help.

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  Submitted by queennisia1 1 year ago

• 3 votes

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  we have to sweat the small stuff

  Student funding isn't going to be nearly effective if we don't reorganize and restratigize our schools. We need the real PTA back. Teachers should not only be interviewed by the school but by the parents throughout the year. There are to many teachers and staff in school not teaching, and getting paid for nothing. I see it all the time and many parents I have talk to. We are allowing for our kids to be dumb down that's ...more »

  Student funding isn't going to be nearly effective if we don't reorganize and restratigize our schools. We need the real PTA back. Teachers should not only be interviewed by the school but by the parents throughout the year. There are to many teachers and staff in school not teaching, and getting paid for nothing. I see it all the time and many parents I have talk to. We are allowing for our kids to be dumb down that's why the dropout rate is so high. If I wasn't getting anything I wouldn't come to see you 185 days either. The lack of respect and professionalism is ridiculous. The bottom line is, this is our future and we are the blame when social security is not there we are the blame pensions don't exist. Because were dumbing our future. What kind of congressman will we produce 10-15 years from now that doesn't get home work to day. Who's in the sixth grade and has trouble writing complete sentences or understanding algebra. Were producing the weak not the strong, and if I hear " It was a substitute" one more time I'm going to scream. Why does that justify the school not being responsible. The opportunity is now, We should get better not worse.

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  Submitted by thomas.shirley45 1 year ago

• 5 votes

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  Redefine "Opportunity Areas".

  Collaborative efforts—encompassing numerous partnerships between city departments and community-based organizations—are necessary if Chicago is to provide more opportunity to its residents, especially those vouchered-out through the Housing Choice Voucher Program; however, a prominent issue persists surrounding the way in which the Chicago Housing Authority classifies ‘opportunity areas’—considered to be amongst the best ...more »

  Collaborative efforts—encompassing numerous partnerships between city departments and community-based organizations—are necessary if Chicago is to provide more opportunity to its residents, especially those vouchered-out through the Housing Choice Voucher Program; however, a prominent issue persists surrounding the way in which the Chicago Housing Authority classifies ‘opportunity areas’—considered to be amongst the best relocation opportunities for Housing Choice Voucher holders. In order to be considered an opportunity area, a neighborhood or community area must have an area poverty level of not more than 24.49 percent; however, this stands significantly above the average neighborhood poverty level in Chicago of approximately 17 percent. In highlighting this disparity with representatives from the Chicago Housing Authority, the issue was dismissed because the Chicago Housing Authority is “in the process of redefining opportunity areas” (Anna Lee, 2011). However, more than one year later, the definition of opportunity areas has not changed, and has in fact been revised up to 24.9 percent. This reality is unsettling, and reevaluating this definition is vital if Chicago hopes to provide fair housing opportunities to all its residents.

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  Submitted by charlesjbarlow 1 year ago

• 2 votes

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  Section 3 Reform to pay decent living wage

  Based on HUD's guidelines for section 3 hires, PPM firms and the Housing Authority are incentivized to hire those of low income and very low income in order to promote economic self sufficiency. However, the wages paid often are below that what are necessary to be eligible for public housing. For example, an employee at a PPM for the CHA, with a college degree is often paid a wage that is below the individual income limits ...more »

  Based on HUD's guidelines for section 3 hires, PPM firms and the Housing Authority are incentivized to hire those of low income and very low income in order to promote economic self sufficiency. However, the wages paid often are below that what are necessary to be eligible for public housing. For example, an employee at a PPM for the CHA, with a college degree is often paid a wage that is below the individual income limits for Low ($42,500) or Very Low income ($26, 550). It is a very poor statement that a Moving to Work Housing Authority pays their employees, even those who have success in secondary and post secondary education a wage that will still make them eligible to be a public housing tenant. Often a Union Janitor is paid a higher wage than an educated administrative employee. Something should be done to correct this impropriety.

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  Submitted by mharri37 1 year ago

• 9 votes

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  Move out inspections

  I would like to see the tenant have to pass a move out inspection. Also,in the past i have not received a written 30 day notice from the cha when a tenant is moving.

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  Submitted by pidoc100 1 year ago

• 8 votes

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  Health and Wellness

  -Model buildings after NYC’s Healthy Building’s Model

  -Promote active transportation to and from schools

  -Provide healthy vending in buildings

  -Promote nutrition education by working with partners to provide healthy cooking classes

  -Increase community gardens

  -Advocate for community kitchens

  -Advocated for wellness teams for buildings

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  Submitted by nsulay1 1 year ago

• 32 votes

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  Create Communities through Gardens in empty lots

  CHA has an empty lot at 876 N Mozart Avenue which at the moment is collecting garbage and weeds. How about creating a community Garden? leasing the lot to a Neighborhood Organization to do that and getting it's tenants involved. A garden brings the community together, is educational and fun for kids and adults, gives joy to the Neighbors walking bye. Once a space is created there are so many things you can do.

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  Submitted by abo 1 year ago

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  The Transformation Needs

  In order to get where you want to go with transforming a location, the problem is this you want to do a new thing with old ideals, what is being proposed is not totally to benefit the community, if your going to rebuild why rebuild what you already have, whether rebuild mix of townhouses and apartments, some of which will be designated for seniors, you spoke of two bedroom and higher but some people require one unit making ...more »

  In order to get where you want to go with transforming a location, the problem is this you want to do a new thing with old ideals, what is being proposed is not totally to benefit the community, if your going to rebuild why rebuild what you already have, whether rebuild mix of townhouses and apartments, some of which will be designated for seniors, you spoke of two bedroom and higher but some people require one unit making sure All of these units are fully accessible for disabled persons. The building should include an elevator.) One of the biggest problems in the city of Chicago is parking and residents paying market rate rents should not have to pay for parking it should be an amenity and have vouchers for veterans, if you are going to go after a grant the grant should be holistic and include all persons and provide business owned by the members within the community along with others if you want to make the environment safe people tend to protect what is created and established for the people by the people

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  Submitted by wrightjeff93 1 year ago

• 16 votes

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  Engage Homeowners

  So here are my recommendations. Actively engage homeowners in the next plan, 2.0, and begin to view them as stakeholders; as a whole community we need to share, discuss and devise a plan that is beneficial for everyone regardless of income; establish a mechanism that is inclusive of all residents; establish a plan for CHA and its management agents to fully understand the needs of HOA’s and devise a plan for ongoing ...more »

  So here are my recommendations.

  Actively engage homeowners in the next plan, 2.0, and begin to view them as stakeholders;

  as a whole community we need to share, discuss and devise a plan that is beneficial for everyone regardless of income;

  establish a mechanism that is inclusive of all residents;

  establish a plan for CHA and its management agents to fully understand the needs of HOA’s and devise a plan for ongoing communication;

  create a method for CHA and its management agent to collaborate with HOA’s on aesthetics and community building activities projects;

  and be supportive of the efforts of every resident, regardless of income, to have a fantastic community.

  Is 2.0 a good idea? Yes. Can the plan work? Yes. Will the plan work? Yes, but slowly unless all stakeholders are involved.

  Part of the vision of the Plan for Transformation is to change dilapidated developments into viable communities. To meet this goal, CHA took on the task to create mixed income communities and break them into 1/3rds, like Oakwood Shores. Sounds great, but how can CHA build a strong community leaving 1/3, the homeowner, out of the equation? No matter how you calculate the numbers, 2/3 will never equal a whole.

  Homeowners are here to stay, because unlike renters a homeowner cannot move at the end of their lease, therefore it is wise to engage them. It should be shouted loud and clear that the plan for transformation is not just about numbers, but is also about people—all people living together in unity in hosing that is safe, adequate, viable and is a catalyst to the revitalization of a community-- like Bronzeville! By the way I love Bronzeville.

  Homeowners might not have the same needs as those serviced by the CHA, but definitely share the same desire of wanting to live in a strong and viable community-- especially now that tax bills continue to increase as property values have dropped. I salute the newest efforts of Oakwood Shores to increase community engagement, but we need to do more with homeowners in part 2.0.

  I have made some great relationship with my neighbors and look for to a stronger commitment from CHA.

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  Submitted by advocategod 1 year ago

• 2 votes

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  Improvements

  While I agree that mixed income units should limit CHA residents I do believe they should offer more affordable housing options. Affordable housing has an very good screening process with income limitations that can help people that are working but would otherwise struggle to live on market rate rent scales in new developments. I have seen some units and I must say it seems they are becoming smaller. Nice buildings but ...more »

  While I agree that mixed income units should limit CHA residents I do believe they should offer more affordable housing options. Affordable housing has an very good screening process with income limitations that can help people that are working but would otherwise struggle to live on market rate rent scales in new developments. I have seen some units and I must say it seems they are becoming smaller. Nice buildings but they want a family to squeeze into shoe box apartments for $950 or more. I do believe space is key, so at the very least if the apartment is affordable or market rate at least have a master bedroom that could fit a queen bedroom set in it. You shouldn't have to put your clothes in totes in the closet because a dresser wont fit if you have a bed.

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  Submitted by rrieder 1 year ago

• 14 votes

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  Creating a More Beautiful Community Atmosphere

  Coordinating with other city and federal agencies to create and expand the public spaces in low income housing and other parts of the city. For instance fundraising and grants proposals to produce art for public spaces, sculptures in the gardens or inner court yards, murals in the hallways or out of doors on the tunnels above the elevated train tracks. To engage and entertain the residents and attract visitors and tourists ...more »

  Coordinating with other city and federal agencies to create and expand the public spaces in low income housing and other parts of the city. For instance fundraising and grants proposals to produce art for public spaces, sculptures in the gardens or inner court yards, murals in the hallways or out of doors on the tunnels above the elevated train tracks. To engage and entertain the residents and attract visitors and tourists to the Windy City.

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  Submitted by LEAH CAROL 1 year ago

• 4 votes

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  homeless women with children

  i am a mother of five and i have been on cha waitlist for 11years. i am currently homeless. i feel that homeless women should have priority.

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  Submitted by angelaygrant 1 year ago

• 9 votes

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  Resources for existing communities for better social cohesion

  I believe there is value in having resources that will assist existing communities in better preparing for community change. We always talk about how we should train and prepare Public housing families, however, they are well organized and have been well trained in galvinizing around issues that concern them. And there is value in having some resources for continued support of this effort. There are very little resources ...more »

  I believe there is value in having resources that will assist existing communities in better preparing for community change. We always talk about how we should train and prepare Public housing families, however, they are well organized and have been well trained in galvinizing around issues that concern them. And there is value in having some resources for continued support of this effort.

  There are very little resources for established neighborhoods and blocks that have thrived on the character of a neighborhood and the quality of life norms being defined by that unspoken pressue we place on each other, there are not enough resources to support the notion of real block club organizing. These are the supports we need to secure the quality of life norms that stabilize a community. Socio-economic status should not determine your quality of life standards, if you live in a well-established, well-organized, neighborhood. Personal accountability is heightened on a block where there is an expectation of behavior well established and maintained.

  In the plan for transformation, resources should be made available for these established neighborhoods and block clubs. While the newly created transforming communities should have resources that (1) support the establishment of neighborhood associations and block club activities (2) support the For Sale developer and the rental developer to be intentional about creating avenues of joint marketing in an effort to sell the notion of "being engaged with your community" to new buyers and new renters and (3) allow these developers and management entities to create joint spaces for shared involvement. We have to own that these projects are outside of the natural, organic evolution of a block and/or neighborhood so having amenities that support shared involvement, having the autonomy as a new block/neighborhood to define how you will govern yourself is quite valuable.

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  1 comment for Idea: Resources for existing communities for better social cohesion

  Submitted by Felicia Dawson 1 year ago

• 15 votes

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  Utility Payment Standards

  I think utility payment stardards need to be risen. Electrical prices and Natural/Oil gas prices are always rising, but the payment standard never does.

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  Submitted by cyork1979 1 year ago

• -10 votes

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  Install Electric car chargers

  Install electric car chargers in undeveloped areas of CHA developments. This will attract forward thinking users who may consider residency at these developments. Also, they may use merchants at retail level while charging their vehicles.

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  Submitted by Michael Frauendorff 1 year ago

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