SAUK VILLAGE'S HOUSING DILEMMA - 2nd in a Series

THIS IS A SECOND IN A SERIES ABOUT SAUK VILLAGE’S HOUSING CRISIS-
SAUK VILLAGE LACKS SOLUTIONS
by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  This is the second in a series of stories addressing Sauk Village's Housing situation.  Sauk Village has a very serious housing crisis including the housing conditions and property values.  Since the housing crisis began in late 2007, Sauk Village seems to have been completely unprepared for what was to transpire.

 

To answer the housing problems facing Sauk Village former Mayor Lewis Towers and current Mayor David Hanks have relied on the Housing Commission.  Some suggest that the Housing Commission is not equiped nor does it have the legal authority to address the problems.

 

When the Housing Commission of Sauk Village was formed it was formed to answer complaints of discrimination in housing. It was never intended to perform the duties of a housing authority. The Housing commission, by law, is not intended to act or perform the duties of a housing authority, yet we see that they are doing exactly that.

HAS THE VILLAGE EXCEEDED ITS  AUTHORITY?  (CLICK HERE AND READ LEGAL OPINION)

 

The Commission’s “powers” are as follows (CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE CODE-per Sauk Village Municipal Code "Fair Housing" Sec 38-23):

1- Administer Oaths and take sworn testimony at hearings;

2- Subpoena witnesses and pertinent documents, and its subpoena power may be enforced by proper petition to any court of competent jurisdiction;

3- Issue orders and impose fines and penalties;

4- Require all persons subject to the application of this article to maintain such records as may be necessary to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this article;

5- Submit to the Village an annual report and such special reports as it may from time to time deem advisable.

Keep in mind these responsibilities are as they apply to housing discrimination

 

Also, homeowners are required, per ordinance to notify the village if they “intend” to sell their home or rent their home.

 

The Housing Commission currently has no legal authority to carry out the mission that they are currently undertaking as it appears to have exceeded the mandate of the Corporate Authorities of Sauk Village. The Housing Commission has no authority to conduct surveys of vacant homes nor assist with the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Housing Bank, that clearly exceeds their authority established by ordinance.

 

A Housing Authority is an autonomous entity that are charged with handling many challenges facing communities housing issues including administration of housing grant programs and other housing initiatives. Housing Authorities have much broader power than housing commissions. In the mid-1990s Sauk Village had a Housing Authority which ran into controversy over the mismanagement of the Village’s Community Development Block Grant program. The Cook County States Attorney Investigation found many improprieties and the Village Board dissolved the Housing Authority.

 

So what is the answer to Sauk Village's Housing woes?  There are no housing initiatives to encourage first time home-buyers to buy homes as many other communities have established.  There is no homebuyer education classes or workshops to educate buyers on what they need to do in order to purchase homes in Sauk Village. 

 

Several emails and calls to the Housing Commission Chairman Gary Holcomb went unanswered.  Emails to Mayor David Hanks also went unanswered.

Housing Commission:  Heidi Parker, Gary Holcomb, Sharon Nowak, Ronnie Stark
Wanda Lemmell, Lawrence Stewart and Trustee John Poskin