Residents of a Chicago neighborhood near a makeshift shelter for immigrants are expressing their concerns and objections regarding the significant influx of asylum seekers seeking refuge there. According to some, the shelter is depriving the community of valuable resources and programs.
According to the Chicago Tribune, residents of Edgewater recently submitted a report to city officials outlining the potential impact of converting the Broadway Armory into a shelter on the nearby families. Residents in the neighborhood have expressed concerns about changes in the availability of programs for families and have raised questions about the government's housing policies.
The influx of immigrants from the southern border is having a significant impact on various areas in Chicago. Residents in these neighborhoods are frustrated with the city's disregard for their needs. Since August 2022, over 34,000 immigrants have arrived in Chicago via 608 buses from Texas, under the guidance of Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX). As of January 16, a total of 14,967 individuals were residing in the 28 shelters located within the city. The city decided against proceeding with its plan to construct new shelters due to the high cost involved.
In February, despite the freezing temperatures, Chicago has begun the first round of evictions from shelters. According to reports, the shelter system has been at maximum capacity for several months.
Pat Sharkey, a representative of the Coalition of Edgewater Block Clubs and Residents' Associations, played a key role in drafting the report on the neighborhood. In an interview with a local news source, Sharkey expressed her intention to distribute the report to various city leaders by Wednesday.
According to Sharkey, the city has canceled a total of 54 classes and events at the armory due to its conversion into a shelter for Chicago. Another eighteen groups were relocated to various parks. However, according to Sharkey, many individuals in the city are unable or uninterested in traveling to different areas of the city to attend events, particularly sports such as gymnastics and basketball. According to the city study, there has been a significant decrease of 73% in the number of people who have signed up for the neighborhood's services.
"During the fall of 2022, the armory was utilized by 1,200 individuals. However, it is currently not being used for any classes," she informed the news source. "It deeply saddens me."
In May, there were discussions among Chicago officials about the potential use of the armory in Edgewater to accommodate immigrants, which caught the attention of local residents. Immediately, this caused great concern among individuals who rely on Chicago Park District services for seniors and children. According to Sharkey, the residents of Edgewater were informed by city officials that they would reevaluate the immigrant shelter at the armory after six months. However, the neighborhood has yet to observe any indications of their intention to follow through on that promise.
Reports indicate that Hussain Mohammed, a 22-year-old resident of Edgewater, expressed that the armory served as a gathering spot for children from bustling households to socialize with their peers. According to him, many of our parents migrated from Africa and Pakistan, resulting in a significant number of them working as cab drivers. Due to their extended work hours, they were unable to collect us from school.
According to the Chicago Tribune, residents of Edgewater recently submitted a report to city officials outlining the potential impact of converting the Broadway Armory into a shelter on the nearby families. Residents in the neighborhood have expressed concerns about changes in the availability of programs for families and have raised questions about the government's housing policies.
The influx of immigrants from the southern border is having a significant impact on various areas in Chicago. Residents in these neighborhoods are frustrated with the city's disregard for their needs. Since August 2022, over 34,000 immigrants have arrived in Chicago via 608 buses from Texas, under the guidance of Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX). As of January 16, a total of 14,967 individuals were residing in the 28 shelters located within the city. The city decided against proceeding with its plan to construct new shelters due to the high cost involved.
In February, despite the freezing temperatures, Chicago has begun the first round of evictions from shelters. According to reports, the shelter system has been at maximum capacity for several months.
Pat Sharkey, a representative of the Coalition of Edgewater Block Clubs and Residents' Associations, played a key role in drafting the report on the neighborhood. In an interview with a local news source, Sharkey expressed her intention to distribute the report to various city leaders by Wednesday.
According to Sharkey, the city has canceled a total of 54 classes and events at the armory due to its conversion into a shelter for Chicago. Another eighteen groups were relocated to various parks. However, according to Sharkey, many individuals in the city are unable or uninterested in traveling to different areas of the city to attend events, particularly sports such as gymnastics and basketball. According to the city study, there has been a significant decrease of 73% in the number of people who have signed up for the neighborhood's services.
"During the fall of 2022, the armory was utilized by 1,200 individuals. However, it is currently not being used for any classes," she informed the news source. "It deeply saddens me."
In May, there were discussions among Chicago officials about the potential use of the armory in Edgewater to accommodate immigrants, which caught the attention of local residents. Immediately, this caused great concern among individuals who rely on Chicago Park District services for seniors and children. According to Sharkey, the residents of Edgewater were informed by city officials that they would reevaluate the immigrant shelter at the armory after six months. However, the neighborhood has yet to observe any indications of their intention to follow through on that promise.
Reports indicate that Hussain Mohammed, a 22-year-old resident of Edgewater, expressed that the armory served as a gathering spot for children from bustling households to socialize with their peers. According to him, many of our parents migrated from Africa and Pakistan, resulting in a significant number of them working as cab drivers. Due to their extended work hours, they were unable to collect us from school.
