Community Members Urge Chicago Board of Education to Stop Misguided Land Deal: Use Public Housing Land for Much-Needed Affordable Housing
This morning, the Chicago Board of Education will vote on a highly controversial proposal to use land long promised for affordable housing to build a new $120 million high school on the Near South Side, ignoring the wishes of community members and the strong words of State Representative Theresa Mah. At issue is a section of the former Harold L. Ickes Homes site near 24th and State streets which has been vacant since the public housing was torn down in 2010. South Side residents say that once again, CHA and City of Chicago leaders are reneging on housing promises made to the Black community by trying to fast-track the land swap over vociferous community objections. This plan reflects yet another failure by the City and CHA to consider the Fair Housing implications of a decision that will serve to further racial and economic segregation.
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, working with community partner Lugenia Burns Hope Center, urges the Board of Education to stop this land deal. Micaela Alvarez, Program Counsel with the Equitable Community Development and Housing program said, “Affordable housing must remain the priority for the land and community residents must have an authentic voice in this process.” She added, “We urge the Board of Education to drop the current proposal and vote NO today. We need a comprehensive racial equity assessment with real input from impacted communities, not a sham process to cover up politics as usual.”
Rod Wilson, Executive Director of Lugenia Burns Hope Center, said “I hope the CPS Board stands by the communities they are selected to serve. Not just the Mayor. Neither Chinatown nor Bronzeville residents want this high school at 24th and State, despite what local aldermen who support the mayor may say. This site is promised for housing our people need. It’s time to represent the people, not yield to political pressure.”