Wheeling Township Assists River Trails Condominium Complex Fire Victims
In the days, weeks and months after a massive fire at a Prospect Heights condominium complex displaced hundreds of people, they have been picking up the pieces and utilizing available assistance to find a new normal, including a new place to call home.
Wheeling Township has been at the forefront of providing financial assistance for relocation or housing-focused needs for dozens of individuals who were either renters or owners at the River Trails Condominium Complex. This assistance has come in the form of funds that have provided first month's rent or security deposits for new residences.
Homeowners and renters were abruptly forced to leave River Trails due to the more than $10 million in property damages caused by the fire that occurred Wednesday, July 18, 2018 in Prospect Heights.
"The Township immediately recognized the extent of this tragedy, and the overwhelming needs that we could address for residents who were suddenly without a home," said Wheeling Township Supervisor Kathy Penner. "We encourage individuals who are still in need of housing assistance that have not reached out to us yet, to do so."
There are certain stipulations applied to housing-related assistance provided by the Township; funds cannot be used for hotels and they are paid directly to the owner of record. There are no restrictions for residents who have chosen to move out of the Township.
So far, 55 individuals have received housing-related financial assistance from Wheeling Township; 19 of them are children. Nearly $17,000 in emergency funds have been allocated thus far. The amount of assistance provided is based on the size of the family in need.
Other services provided to the displaced residents have included opportunities for condominium owners to file appeals on the 2018 assessed value of their units, based on the total losses-12 homeowners in all have already worked with the Wheeling Township Assessor's Office to file the appeals. The next opportunity will open in either November or December of this year. If a homeowner has not filed an appeal with Cook County, they are encouraged to call the Assessor's Office in October at 847-259-1515 to set an appointment for when the new appeals date has been determined by Cook County.
Representatives from Wheeling Township attended the MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center) triage that was sponsored by the Red Cross on July 21, the Saturday after the fire occurred. Nearly 50 applications for emergency assistance were handed out at the event, in addition to information being left at schools that served children who lived in the condos, as well as at the condominium association, in an effort to reach as many individuals as possible who were in need of housing assistance.
For individuals still in need of assistance, applications from the Township will be available until October 18, 2018.
In addition to the help provided by Wheeling Township, clothing vouchers have also been distributed by a variety of agencies including the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other area social service providers.
To obtain a Major Disaster Relief application, individuals can either stop by Wheeling Township at 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights or call the Township at 847-259-7730 to request the application be mailed or emailed. Verification that individuals are legitimate fire victims will be required, which can be provided either by a letter coming from the Red Cross or the Prospect Heights Police Department, or a special picture ID issued to the River Trails residents by the City of Prospect Heights.
The condominium fire broke out just after 1:00 p.m. on July 18 and took nearly 11 hours to extinguish. Out of the $10 million in damages, roughly $4 million was in property damage, and $6 million in damages were to personal possessions inside of the condominiums.
About Wheeling Township
Wheeling Township provides a wide variety of services and giving programs for in-need families who reside in the Township. These include financial assistance for income qualified residents, transportation for the elderly and disabled, a food pantry, Meals on Wheels, a mobile dental clinic, back-to-school supply drives, holiday giving programs, and others. The Assessor's office assists homeowners with the filing of property tax extensions and appeals, as well as handles issues and complaints, while the Clerk's office is available for voter registration and election information. Additionally, Wheeling Township maintains five miles of unincorporated roads, as well as the historic cemetery located within the Township's borders.
There are currently more than 155,000 residents that live in Wheeling Township, in all or part of the following communities: Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling. The Township is bordered on the north by Lake Cook Road, by Wilke Road on the west, Central Road on the south, and the Des Plaines River on the east.
For more information, please visit WheelingTownship.com.