On November 24, 2023, residents of the five-story apartment complex at 7500 South Shore announced the formation of a tenant union. This initiative comes after a federal raid on September 30, which heightened awareness of the dire living conditions faced by the building’s tenants. More than thirty individuals, including tenants, organizers, and community supporters, gathered outside the complex, chanting, “When tenants’ lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!”
The newly formed tenant union represents the majority of the remaining thirty-six tenants and has outlined significant demands. Supported by organizations such as Southside Together and the Metropolitan Tenants Organization, the union is calling for immediate actions from the court-appointed receiver, Friedman Communities. These demands include restoring heat, electricity, and elevators, as well as addressing severe issues such as standing water, sewage, and mold within the building.
Infiniti Gant, a housing organizer with Southside Together, emphasized that the problems in the building existed long before the raid. “No one paid attention to the fact that people were living here without heat before ICE came,” Gant stated. “People were living here with sewage on the floors and mold on the walls before ICE. That ain’t right!”
Residents like Mashawnda Price have voiced their frustrations regarding the unlivable conditions. Having moved in over two years ago, Price described ongoing issues with pests and a lack of essential services, including weeks without power or running water. She recounted how the property management, previously handled by Strength in Management, delayed responding to repair requests and even shut down communication lines, making it impossible for tenants to report urgent needs.
The situation escalated when residents were forced to carry elderly and disabled neighbors up and down stairs due to non-functioning elevators. Price shared her experience of management threats and alleged harassment, stating, “When I tried to complain, management told me that I was being too aggressive and threatened to kick me out.” Despite attempts to contact Strength in Management for comment, no response was received by press time.
Another resident, Darren Hightower, who moved into the building in July 2023, recounted a troubling incident involving a shooting in the lobby shortly after security was removed. He noted that management began accepting Venezuelan migrants around the same time but clarified that they are not to blame for the building’s deteriorating conditions. “I blame shit on the leadership as always, because it’s the head of the lion,” Hightower said, expressing solidarity with all residents facing hardship.
The formation of the tenant union follows a summer of escalating tensions, particularly after residents endured a 45-day gas outage. Hightower criticized management’s response, which he described as a tactic to evict tenants. He reiterated that the migrants were not the problem; instead, it was the management that failed to address the building’s needs.
Currently, tenants are not withholding rent but have made it clear that if their demands are not met by Friedman Communities and the Chicago Housing Authority, they are prepared to escalate their actions to secure justice for residents at 7500 South Shore. The union’s leaders are calling for relocation assistance of $7,500 for each tenant, to be provided at least thirty days before any scheduled move-out.
As the situation develops, the collective voice of the tenants at 7500 South Shore is gaining attention, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and systemic change in housing management practices.
