Licenses committee renews St. Catherine’s rooming-house license with warning after neighbors press safety concerns

The Licenses Committee renewed the rooming-house license for St. Catherine’s of Hope, 1032 E. Knapp St., but issued a warning letter and accepted a mitigation plan after neighbors, the building manager and county officials described repeated calls for service and welfare checks at the property.

Why it matters: St. Catherine’s houses a mix of families, permanent supportive housing tenants and market-rate units and has been the subject of repeated police or welfare calls. The committee’s renewal — coupled with a warning letter and a set of mitigation steps agreed by the operator — signals continued oversight while preserving housing for vulnerable residents.

What the committee heard: Attorney Michael Maiselman and executive director Wendy Weckler described the property’s mix of tenants, on-site case managers, 24-hour security and ongoing efforts to address problem tenants. Licensing and neighbors described numerous CAD/dispatch entries from late 2024 into 2025, many involving welfare checks or disturbances; committee members pressed the operator on eviction steps for repeat problem tenants. The operator said two tenants responsible for a large share of recent calls have been or are being removed.

Mitigation steps accepted by the committee: The operator agreed to several measures that the committee recorded in the file: monthly review of police reports with follow-up actions, staff training (including mental-health and first-aid elements), a twice-hourly exterior perimeter check with logs, registration of exterior cameras with the Police Department’s camera program so officers can access footage rapidly, letters to residents reminding them of behavioral expectations, and explicit eviction follow-through for problem tenants consistent with state law.

Decision and conditions: After extended public testimony and discussion, Alderman Mark Chambers moved and the committee voted to approve the renewal but add a formal warning letter and require the mitigation items be implemented and documented. Committee members stressed quick, documented eviction for tenants who cause persistent disturbances and asked staff to keep the alderman’s office informed of follow-up actions.

Next steps: Licensing will track implementation; the committee expects regular reports and recommended that neighbors continue to report incidents so staff can evaluate compliance with the mitigation commitments.

Ending: The committee’s action balanced neighborhood concerns about public safety and nuisance calls with the housing needs of vulnerable populations housed by St. Catherine’s staff and partner agencies.