Plainfield residents searching for housing after they were forced out of condemned apartment building

City officials say they now have a plan to move the affected residents to the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (PPAC).

News 12 Staff

Aug 13, 2023, 4:50 PM

Updated 477 days ago

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Tenants recently displaced due to a condemned apartment building in Plainfield were searching for housing on Sunday.
Earlier this week, hundreds of tenants were evicted after the city condemned two buildings for having 235 maintenance violations.
Hundreds of people had been staying at nearby hotels following the eviction. However, most of those vouchers were set to expire on Sunday and a select few on Tuesday.
Families were being housed temporarily at Plainfield High School, where they were provided three meals a day. Neighbors have also brought clothing, diapers and toiletries. City officials said they now have a plan to move the affected residents to the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (PPAC).
The school district's superintendent and Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp met with families on site to explain what housing could look like for them moving forward. They said all affected residents will transition out of the high school by the end of day Sunday. Emergency Management said multiple people have sought services including housing, food vouchers and clothing.
"This was the best place to house as many people that we thought might be needed and suits our needs best. After about a week, we'll reexamine it see who needs housing and we'll make a decision,” said Kenneth Childress, of Emergency Management.
Residents from one of the buildings, building 515, were able to go back inside during repairs. But those who live in the other, building 505, were still left to figure out where they'll stay while building owners do what they need to do to get tenants back inside.
Watch below for an exclusive interview with one of the landlord's of the condemned Plainfield apartment building