ROCK ISLAND, IL - In the wake of the devastating partial collapse of the historic Davenport building on May 28, 2023, which claimed three lives, the Rock Island Housing Authority (RIHA) and its non-profit partner, Community Home Partners (CHP), are ramping up their efforts to meet the urgent housing needs of the individuals and families affected by this disaster.
The Davenport building, a significant part of our community's history for over a century, had been grappling with maintenance and structural issues since 2020. Once a prominent hotel, the building was converted into 78 rental units in the mid-1980s. Despite numerous attempts to restore the building's structural integrity, it was unable to withstand the pressure of the accumulated issues.
John Chow, the newly appointed CEO of Community Home Partners and Executive Director of the Rock Island Housing Authority, is leading the charge to assist the displaced individuals and families. He and his staff are working tirelessly to promptly secure quality, affordable housing options for those affected. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Chow has already reached out to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to explore every conceivable avenue of support for the displaced individuals and families.
“We are moving with urgency to address the housing needs in our community,” said Chow. “We are committed to collaborating with HUD and assembling a broad coalition of housing-focused partners, including Davenport's, to ensure we are providing quality, affordable housing options to the individuals and families that are tragically impacted by this unfortunate event."
The RIHA Board of Commissioners is prepared to mobilize every resource at their disposal to provide relief to the affected individuals and families. This unwavering commitment to immediate action is a testament to the fundamental mission of the agency: to provide everyone in our community equal access to quality, affordable housing and a place to call home.