South Shore affordable housing ordinance introduced in City Council

Community Advocates Introduce Ordinance to Preserve Affordable Housing in South Shore and Woodlawn Neighborhoods

Kori Robinson, 29, has lived in South Shore for more than two years and worries about her family’s future in the neighborhood.

In February, Robinson was laid off from her job in human resources. For now, she does not want to go back to work because of the high costs of child care, and her children’s father’s job is enough to support them. But the family’s costs may soon outpace their income, said Robinson, who lives with her 5-month-old, 2-year-old and their father.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 1: No Poverty
• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Introduction of the South Shore Housing Preservation Ordinance

A group of community advocates and residents, along with Aldermen Desmon Yancy, 5th, and Jeanette Taylor, 20th, plan to introduce an ordinance Thursday at the City Council in an effort to preserve and create more affordable housing in the South Shore and Woodlawn neighborhoods, two communities where fears of gentrification and displacement from people like Robinson run high as the Obama Presidential Center takes shapes in nearby Jackson Park.

Voters’ Support for the Proposed Ordinance

• Voters in the neighborhoods overwhelmingly supported ballot referendums in February’s election for the proposed ordinance and the development of affordable housing on the vacant lots at 63rd Street and Blackstone Avenue in Woodlawn, a component of the proposed ordinance.

Timeline for Passing the Legislation

• Alderman Desmon Yancy intends to pass the legislation by the end of the year.
• Challenges may arise due to budget issues in the city.

Concerns about Displacement and Gentrification

• Residents receive frequent phone calls from out-of-state speculators looking to purchase their properties.
• Displacement is a major concern following developments like the Obama Presidential Center.

Proposed Programs and Initiatives

The ordinance proposes various programs to help renters and homeowners alike, including cash assistance.

Renter Programs

• Establish an Office of the Tenant Advocate to expand tenant protections.
• Start a tenant right-to-purchase initiative for renters whose landlords are selling their properties.
• Ban move-in fees.

Homeowner Programs

• Create more affordable for-sale housing.
• Fund grant programs for existing and prospective homeowners.
• Allocate money for the redevelopment of vacant homes through the South Shore Loan Fund.
• Provide grants and down payment assistance through the Renew South Shore Program.

Development of Affordable Housing on Vacant Lots

• Earmark all vacant city-owned lots for the development of affordable housing.
• Give priority to displaced residents and residents at risk of displacement for newly constructed affordable units.

Funding for the Proposed Measures

• The ordinance calls for the measures to be supported through city funding, but does not offer specifics.

Community Feedback and Support

The ordinance’s language was crafted with the help of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

Dixon Romeo, a leader of the Obama Community Benefits Agreement Coalition, one of the groups behind the push for the Woodlawn and South Shore ordinances, said the South Shore ordinance comes out of years of meetings and feedback from community members who live in the area or who were displaced, as well as discussions with policy experts.

Potential Expansion of Policies Citywide

• Romeo hopes some policies included in the South Shore ordinance can be expanded citywide.

Benefits and Concerns

The Obama Foundation supports affordable housing policies that help longtime residents while allowing property owners to benefit from their assets. The organization is pleased to see policies like the Woodlawn ordinance being put in place.

Benefits of the Obama Presidential Center

• The center pays homage to the South Side, where the Obamas have strong ties.
• It has the potential to bring positive development to the area.

Concerns about Gentrification

• Property values and taxes have increased, potentially leading to displacement.
• The South Shore housing ordinance aims to address these concerns and protect longtime residents.

Personal Stories and Hopes for the Ordinance

Alvyn Walker, a South Shore resident, hopes the ordinance will help people like his 73-year-old mother, who is retired and on a fixed income, to be able to stay in their homes where they have lived for decades.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure.
• Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements, or inadequate housing.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: chicagotribune.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.