A new housing policy aimed at slowing gentrification and displacement in some of Chicago’s hottest real estate markets took effect this week.

Defenders say certain key provisions of the Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance – including giving renters the option to buy a building they live in and imposing higher demolition fees on developers seeking to demolish old two- and three-flats to build upscale homes – will help more families of workers to stay on site. The measure covers various neighborhoods on the Northwest Side, including parts of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Avondale, West Town and Hermosa.

Critics say the ordinance places an unfair burden on building owners and small landlords looking to sell their property. They also say it could discourage investment in neighborhoods that need it – among other concerns.

WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang spoke with University of Chicago assistant professor Robin Bartrama sociologist who focused on housing inequality, environmental justice, and municipal regulations to discuss the new policy.

Esther Yoon-Ji Kang: One of the things this ordinance does is it gives tenants in Humboldt Park, West Town, Logan Square, Hermosa and Avondale the opportunity to purchase their building before it goes on the market. Tell us a little bit about how that would work.

Robin Bartram: (The ordinance) gives tenants the first right and refusal to become the owner of their building, to become the owner of their building, so if the landlord or landlord is considering selling the property, then the tenants have the right to ‘buy. I think it’s a fantastic idea. I think we need to make sure that all the elements are in place to ensure that this is actually an option. It would take a lot of help from various community organizations in terms of funding to sort out many of the details that would need to be ironed out to ensure that this option is actually available, rather than just a good idea. The city would really need to lean on the tenant organizations that exist in the city to support the process, to make sure that tenants know what they’re getting into and to make sure that they have a sense of ownership. have a real choice in housing. the question.

Yoon-Ji Kang: Some believe this ordinance places an unnecessary burden on building owners and small landlords ready to sell their properties. What do you say to that?

Bartram: I think this might well be a legitimate concern, but I think there’s a lot of research in the social sciences and beyond that suggests that real estate entities often use the sort of small landlord, small mom and dad trope as a means fight against regulation. I think sometimes there are barriers that are necessary to ensure that people are not displaced.

Yoon-Ji Kang: Some critics worry the order will discourage investment in neighborhoods that might need it. What do you think?

Bartram: I think it depends on how we look at investing. Existing residents are displaced by the type of investment that is occurring in these neighborhoods. So I would say we shouldn’t be concerned about the lack of this type of investment if the result of this type of investment is displacement and extremely unaffordable.

Another thing this ordinance shows is that we have elected officials, neighborhood organizations and residents who are really attentive to problems as they arise, and who are equipped to find solutions to all types of markets real estate that could be imposed on them. So if indeed there is a decline in development, and that is indeed a problem, we have people ready to respond as well.

Yoon-Ji Kang: Ultimately, do you think this measure will slow gentrification and displacement?

Bartram: I think there is absolutely a chance that this will be really effective. I think it addresses local concerns very well, rather than approaching the issue of affordable housing from some sort of one-size-fits-all model. This really touches on very local issues.

I also appreciate the lens from which this order addresses the affordable housing crisis. I think a lot of the conversation tends to be about new construction and how to get out of the affordable housing crisis. This ordinance, on the other hand, attempts to preserve existing housing that is more likely to be affordable. (A) the primary purpose of the order is that higher fees aim to prevent demolitions, thereby allowing the preservation of existing housing stock, allowing current residents to remain in place and preventing displacement.

I also think it’s worth mentioning that this is actually a very environmentally friendly way to look at the housing crisis. Demolition and new construction are really bad for the environment, so this ordinance goes some way to remedying that as well.

I would say that the current situation in terms of development and redevelopment is not ideal and so we obviously need a different method.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Esther Yoon-Ji Kang is a reporter in WBEZ’s Race, Class and Communities desk. Follow her on @estheryjkang.