The First Squatters

There were no dreamhouses at Airport Homes. It wasn't even a very fancy veterans' housing project--just a row of barrack-like frame buildings thrown up on vacant lots near Chicago's municipal airport. But the apartments were empty. Veterans who lived near by in their in-laws' homes kept tabs: the houses looked as if they were going to stay empty for quite a while.

As time passed, rumors began. People heard that Negro veterans or ex-soldiers from outside Chicago were going to move in. The neighborhood veterans held a meeting, decided on action. One night last week 60 of them advanced on the office of the project's caretaker, lifted the keys off a wall rack, began opening doors.

Two cops drove up, observed the proceedings and went into the caretaker's office to keep warm. Since the veterans were deserving 13th Ward boys, no 13th Ward politician was inclined to disturb them. In fact, a few precinct captains hurried around to help. Nobody interfered as the squatters began bringing furniture and clothes and getting their wives and children settled.

Take the Medal. But next day Chicago rang with protests over the first organized outbreak of squatting in the U.S. since the housing crisis began. Cried the chairman of the board of the Public Housing Association: "If their acts are condoned ... a land rush will be on every time a housing project is ready for occupancy." The Chicago Housing Authority held a staff meeting, sent the squatters letters asking them to get out. It was explained that the apartments had been left vacant, not through carelessness, but because the CHA had insisted on repairs before taking possession. Meanwhile other veterans, who had applied for the disputed apartments through legal channels, also began to protest--some had been waiting for housing for a year.

The squatters prepared to stand off a siege. Many got a winter supply of coal, and began having ice, groceries and milk delivered. They hired two lawyers. But at week's end the going began to get tough. Six of the veterans were arrested for trespassing. Said their leader, ex-Pfc. Paul Principato, as he was booked by the cops: "Who wants that medal of mine? They can have it."

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