Bring Chicago Home: A Solution to Homelessness
Update February 27 2024: As predicted, the Bring Chicago Home proposal has been attacked by real estate and business interests. Late last week a credulous judge declared the referendum invalid. We are confident that decision will be reversed, but in the meantime voters are confused—which is precisely what our opponents wanted.
The referendum is still on the ballot and Chicagoans can still VOTE YES while the case plays out in court. Please help us dispel the confusion and get the word out to voters. See below how to help.
When we elected Brandon Johnson mayor last year, we were hoping he would bring truly progressive ideas to bear on the city’s problems. “Bring Chicago Home” is a fulfillment of that promise: a proposal to fund solutions to homelessness by enacting a “mansion tax” on real estate sales. Put simply, it asks the city’s most fortunate, those who can buy expensive homes and commercial property, to help more than 68,000 neighbors who have no homes.
The proposal seeks to create a permanent and dedicated revenue stream that the city can use to fund housing programs and support services. The revenue would come from changing the Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT), a one-time tax on properties when they are sold, from a flat to a progressive rate. Properties sold for under $1 million—roughly 96% of real estate sales in Chicago—would pay a lower rate than they currently do, while properties sold for $1 million and more would see a slight increase in the transfer tax.
The first step toward enacting this change is to pass a referendum on the March 19 primary ballot. Chicago voters need to VOTE YES on this referendum so the City Council can then proceed to debate the proposal and create legislation. The issue is complex and faces well-financed opposition from the investor class. Voters need to be educated before they are subjected to a barrage of misleading ads.
Here’s how you can help:
Indivisible Chicago has partnered with the Bring Chicago Home coalition to inform voters through Sunday afternoon phone banks. Get details and sign up here.
The coalition has numerous other canvasses and phone banks scheduled besides. Click here to find a convenient time and place for you.
For more information on the referendum see this info sheet or go to the Bring Chicago Home coalition website: www.bringchicagohome.org
