LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Homelessness is a solvable problem

We, representatives of the Interfaith Roundtable on Homelessness, were horrified at the news of the brutal attack on Joseph Kromelis, one of our thousands of neighbors experiencing homelessness. Joseph was just trying to rest, but was assaulted and lit on fire. He is now in critical condition.

To experience homelessness is to experience constant threats to your personal safety. This incident was preventable. If Joseph were housed, he would not be fighting for his life.

This is a stark example of the violence homeless Chicagoans face. But everyone without a secure place to live — whether on the street, in a shelter, or staying temporarily with others — lacks the security of a permanent home. Programs that work with Chicagoans most at risk of violence consistently cite housing instability as a risk factor. You simply cannot be safe without stable housing.

Homelessness is a solvable problem. The Bring Chicago Home coalition has a solution that would bring in more than $150 million a year to fund housing and services for people experiencing homelessness by increasing the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT) on properties over $1 million. Mayor Lori Lightfoot need only support the proposal to make it a reality, but time is running out to get this question on the November 2022 ballot, a required step in the process of adjusting the RETT.

On Monday, faith leaders delivered a letter to Mayor Lightfoot signed by over 80 Chicago faith leaders calling on her to support this crucial proposal. As our letter states, as a people of faith, we are determined to keep hope alive for those who are in despair. Our traditions teach us that change happens when we come together to advocate for and with our fellows.

May we come together as a city and take action not only on our ever-increasing lack of affordable housing, but on our violence crisis, by supporting Bring Chicago Home.

Until we are successful, we will keep the faith.

Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Triche Atkins, Christ Universal Temple Rabbi Suzanne Griffel, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Imam Amiin Musaddiq, Islamic Urban Community Center Sister Dorothy Pagosa, Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis