NEWS RELEASE - October 22, 2008
Mayor O'Connor Criticizes Aldermen for Blocking Funding of Berwyn Crime-Free Housing Inspector for Rental Properties
O’Connor Also Releases Statistics on Section 8 Housing Vouchers in Berwyn
BERWYN - Mayor Michael O'Connor today criticized Aldermen Lovero (7th), Phelan (6th), Skryd (4th), Ramos (2nd), and Chapman (1st) for holding up creation of a housing inspector position designated to go after absentee landlords of multi-unit buildings to ensure these buildings are safe, up to code, and not housing criminals.
In 2007 the Mayor introduced a Crime-Free Housing Ordinance which requires licensing of landlords with five or more units as well as licensing of mixed-use buildings with commercial and residential rental space. The ordinance also creates a fee system whereby landlords of larger apartment buildings fund a Crime-Free Housing inspector who focuses on multi-unit rental buildings to make sure they are in compliance with city housing codes. A similar law in Schaumburg has had much success in improving rental properties.
Though City Council approved the housing ordinance itself, aldermen now refuse to approve the creation of the inspector position provided for and already funded by fees collected under the ordinance.
Mayor O'Connor said, "Despite our expenditures and efforts to make Berwyn a crime-free housing model, some aldermen are getting in the way of progress by holding up the funding of the crime-free rental housing inspector. This position is already paid for by the licensing fees we have been collecting from landlords. Let's put the residents first and do what is right by Berwyn."
The Mayor also announced that, according to Cook County statistics, Berwyn had only 104 families who received Section 8 vouchers for subsidized housing assistance in 2007. This contradicts claims by some that Berwyn has seen an escalation in Section 8 rental vouchers. Compared with similarly-sized communities in Cook County, such as Skokie, Glenview, Hoffman Estates, and DesPlaines, Berwyn actually has far fewer Section 8 vouchers than many of its neighbors throughout the county.
Mayor O'Connor spearheaded an effort last year to create a regional housing center in Berwyn to encourage owners of rental units to improve their properties and attract high-quality tenants. With the addition of an advertising campaign targeted at upscale, young professionals in such places as the North Side of Chicago and far western suburbs, Mayor O'Connor and the Berwyn Development Corporation have been aggressively promoting Berwyn as a desirable, convenient place to live, offering excellent quality of life to its residents.
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