Suburbs also home to affordable housing shortage

In “Chicago area short nearly 225,000 affordable rental units for its poorest residents, report finds," Sun-Times reporter Abby Miller highlights a staggering reality: Our region is failing to meet the housing needs of its most vulnerable residents.

While the data often centers on the city of Chicago, this crisis extends far beyond city limits. In the suburbs, where the Housing Opportunity Development Corporation does most of its work, the need is just as real, even if it is less visible.

Poverty exists in every community, including those often perceived as stable or well-resourced. But in suburban areas, it can be harder to see and even harder to address. Each municipality has its own zoning rules, political dynamics and levels of investment in affordable housing. This patchwork approach makes it more difficult to create the scale of housing our region truly needs.

Behind every statistic is a person. It is the parent who can finally afford both rent and groceries when housing is within reach. It is the senior who no longer has to choose between medication and staying in their home. It is the individual with a disability who can live with dignity in a safe, stable community.

When we talk about a shortage of 225,000 homes, we are really talking about thousands of people forced into impossible choices every day. It is this issue that we work to address every day.

Affordable housing is not just about the buildings we develop and manage; it is about stability, health, and opportunity. When people have a home they can afford, they are better able to work, care for their families, and actively contribute to their communities.

We know what solutions are needed: deeper investment in affordable housing, expanded rental assistance and stronger regional collaboration that includes both the city and the suburbs. What we need now is the collective will to act.

Because everyone — no matter their income or ZIP code — deserves a place to call home.

Richard Koenig, executive director, Housing Opportunity Development Corporation

Republican policies failed slain Loyola student

My deepest sympathies to the Gorman family for the unimaginable horror of Sheridan’s murder.

I agree with the Gorman family that the fatal shooting resulted from "the policies and failures that allowed this individual to remain in a position to commit this crime."

But let's be clear that this tragedy is the result of Republican policies — not because of Illinois sanctuary policies. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott shouldn't have sent migrants to Illinois at taxpayers' expense. Republicans should have had policies in place to integrate the migrants into the U.S. immigration system.

A bipartisan border bill was crafted in 2024, but Donald Trump urged Republicans to oppose it, so he could make it an election issue.

It was U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers who failed. While they were terrorizing children, assaulting and murdering people — American citizens and noncitizens — they didn't find Jose Medina before he could shoot Sheridan.

Beth Najberg, Near North Side

Sanctuary laws led to student’s killing

Jose Medina is NOT a "migrant" ("Venezuelan migrant charged with murder of Loyola student"). He is what I call an "illegal." Giant difference.

The Sun-Times print edition headline that called him a migrant insults people who came here legally, followed our laws and all due process to gain entry and citizenship.

Sheridan Gorman's murder is on the sanctuary state and cities' policies of Joe Biden, JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson. Again, it's innocent Americans who pay.

Jim Lanham, Joliet

Protecting alleged abusers like Chávez is damaging

César Chávez allegedly sexually assaulted children and young female volunteers within his organization, recent reports show. But during his lifetime, he enjoyed his international status as a revered labor leader.

The women who have come forward to speak about the vile abuse they suffered are still hurting. Some of the abuse was revealed when Chávez was alive. But, it seems, no one wanted to taint the image of an icon. No one wanted the farmworker rights movement to suffer.

So, at this juncture, what must be done in light of the allegations? Many schools and streets have been named after Chávez. His birthday, March 31, was honored in California for years. It won't happen next week, though.

The character of people is largely defined by the life they lead when no one is watching and doors are locked. What character do they truly represent? Sexual abuse that children and young adults experience alters the course of their lives. Glorifying the abuser doesn't help the abused. What lesson is being taught when the abuser is continually exalted?

Keeping quiet only helps the abuser, as the abuse will continue with others. The farmworker rights movement has consisted of volunteers across the country who push for and implement the change that is needed. The movement wasn't and isn't César Chávez. He took advantage of his position as a leader and used it to sexually abuse children and others. What now?

Harriette Dawson, Glencoe

Penny for Trump voters’ thoughts

We are at the point at which it is hardly worth commenting on Donald Trump's vicious response to the death of former FBI Director Robert Mueller, as such outrages by him have become as common as the sun rising. Trump's shamelessness and delight in inflicting pain are such well-established facts that the editor reading this is likely to be thinking, "That's obvious" and reaching for the "delete" button.

What is not obvious, and what I will always wonder about, is: What portion of 2024 Trump voters, despite ample evidence, did not grasp these facts? How might their lives be negatively affected by having such a president? And what portion actually regarded these antisocial characteristics as selling points?

Curt Fredrikson, Mokena