The Housing Issue
Owning a house is a key to not only creating wealth, but building a stable home from which to put down roots for one’s family for generations to come. But Chicago is a city of renters for whom homeownership is increasingly difficult to attain. It is also a city of activists, organizers, and change makers. In this issue we highlight the myriad of community-driven solutions championed by Chicagoans who want to see a city that everyone can call home.
Our issue examines efforts by the City to spur the development of affordable housing, such as massive investment programs like Invest South/West and a $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond, as well as why these programs may not always live up to their promise. Inside you’ll also find a story on why additional dwelling units (ADUs), which could in theory help create affordable housing, are not being built on the South Side, and why multi-unit buildings are being deconverted into single family residences, taking affordable units off the market. The center spread of the issue will take you on a historical journey, sourced from the Chicago Workers Cottage Initiative, of one Bronzeville workers cottage that has so far avoided falling prey to deconversion and demolition as it’s changed hands over the decades.
We’ve reprinted the first part of a larger Injustice Watch series on how the courts are stacked against tenants, giving landlords the upper hand even when they’re at fault for code and rental violations, and trapping tenants in unsafe situations. Some tenants are taking matters into their own hands—read through interviews with organizers at four tenant unions on what it takes to sustain a pressure campaign against a negligent landlord and what the future of tenant unionism holds in store.
Damen Green line stop opens
The Damen CTA Green Line station opened on Aug. 5, following several delays. The stop, located at Lake Street and Damen Avenue, originally closed when the CTA was created in 1948 due to low ridership. In 2017 former Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced plans for the station to reopen in 2020, but was delayed. A Block Club Chicago report includes the station costing $80.2 million and was paid for by the Kinzie Industrial Corridor Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
Ald. Water Burnett Jr. (27th) led this effort to reopen the stop to provide transportation to residents in public housing. The correction against disinvestment on the West Side comes intentionally ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22.
Without the Damen stop, there is 1.5 miles between the nearest stops, California and Ashland.
Counter convention
As Chicago gears up to host the Democratic National Convention, movement organizers have announced a counter-event called “F*** the ‘G‘NC,” organized by Chicago Dissenters. The alternative convention, which runs from this Saturday until August 23, will feature programming alongside March on the DNC. The free event includes panels, workshops, community spaces and parties “to provide a unifying space for organizers and actionists” and to be able “to explore, struggle and learn.” Topics on the agenda range from labor organizing for Palestine to prison abolition.
This is a masked event with COVID guidelines, including testing at least two days before the convention. The South Side will host the majority of the convention with activities scheduled at Pilsen Community Books, Marz Brewing, and Co-Prosperity Chicago. Space is limited, and registration is required.