Search on for former CHA residents

The Chicago Housing Authority is planning to make a new effort to find former residents who may qualify to live in the new public housing developments replacing demolished high-rises.

According to the CHA, many of the residents who were displaced by the demolition of the high-rises have a right to return to new or rehabbed homes. However, hundreds of the families haven't responded to requests by staff to look at the new or rehabbed apartments.

Officials say the CHA will try to contact residents twice when a unit becomes available. Eventually, individuals who don't respond could lose their right to return.

The CHA's $1.6 billion Plan for Transformation calls for the dismantling of CHA high-rises and their replacement with mixed-income communities. The plan was to be completed in 2010, but is now years behind schedule.