Chicago Mother Fights for Safer Housing Conditions

Deteriorating apartment puts children's health at risk, she says

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:31pm

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A Chicago mother of four is speaking out about the unsafe conditions in her subsidized housing apartment, including mold, drafts, and structural issues that she says are harming her children's health. Despite months of repair requests, the problems remain unresolved, and the mother says she feels trapped financially and emotionally.

Why it matters

This story highlights the challenges low-income families face in accessing safe and suitable housing, as well as the broader issue of substandard living conditions in some subsidized housing units that can negatively impact residents' health and well-being.

The details

Nicole S., who asked not to use her full name for safety reasons, lives in a subsidized apartment on the 4800 block of North Avers in Chicago with her four children, including a daughter who suffers from severe asthma. She says the apartment has numerous issues, including doors that don't close properly, allowing cold drafts, mold in the bathroom that triggers her daughter's asthma, a gaping hole above the shower covered by a trash bag, and deteriorating walls and ceilings. Nicole has documented a trail of repair requests dating back to July 2025, but says major problems remain unresolved.

  • Nicole first reported the issues to the property management in July 2025.

The players

Nicole S.

A Chicago mother of four living in a subsidized housing apartment with unsafe conditions that she says are harming her children's health.

Chicago Housing Authority

The public housing agency that oversees the property where Nicole lives and is responsible for addressing her repair requests.

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What they’re saying

“The damage doesn't stop there,”

— Nicole S. (fox32chicago.com)

“I feel like a horrible mother,”

— Nicole S. (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

Nicole says she has requested a transfer to a safer apartment, but because she does not have a housing voucher, that would require an internal transfer, which has not happened.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for improved oversight and investment in subsidized housing to ensure low-income families have access to safe, healthy living conditions that do not compromise their children's wellbeing.