Obama Center opening stirs pride and unease for Chicago’s South Side amid displacement fears
Summary
The Barack Obama Presidential Center is opening on Chicago’s South Side, a neighborhood facing rising housing costs and displacement of longtime Black residents. Local groups have worked to protect affordable housing but worry the new development will push out current residents.Key Facts
- The Obama Presidential Center is part of a $850 million, 19-acre campus opening on June 19, Juneteenth, in Chicago’s South Side.
- The South Side, including Woodlawn, is mostly low-income and has seen many Black residents leave due to issues like school closures and lack of resources.
- Woodlawn has 78% renters, many of whom struggle to afford rising rents.
- The University of Chicago’s expansion and the Obama Center’s development have increased housing pressures and displacement risks.
- Community groups formed the Obama Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) Coalition to seek protections and negotiate benefits for residents.
- The coalition failed to get a formal agreement with the Obama Foundation but influenced the city to pass tenant protection laws.
- Chicago’s city council passed rules to prioritize displaced tenants for new city housing, increase affordable housing, and provide property tax relief grants.
- Investigations show some affordable housing programs in the area have not been fully implemented or funded.
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