On July 19, Brandon Johnson introduced a plan to provide real affordable housing to West Garfield Park. According to the financial plan, over 44 units of housing will be built, some of which accommodate the disabled populations of Chicago. Furthermore, all 44 units will be placed inside a four-story building named ”Care Manor” by the project founders.
“The project, spearheaded by United for Better Living in partnership with Corinthian Temple Church of God in Christ, will contribute to the city’s comprehensive plan to expand affordable housing options on Chicago’s west side,” according to the mayor’s press release.
Truly Affordable Housing
Yet, the most important part about any introduction of affordable housing is whether it is actually affordable housing. Luckily for the folks of West Garfield Park, Care Manor is affordable housing designed for the residents of the community. Care Manor will be accessible for those who make 60% or lower of that area’s median income. Furthermore, the median income of West Garfield Park was $35,000 according to West Garfield Park Community Data Snapshot. Side note, 60% of 35,000 is 21,000.
Furthermore, this lines up well because 40% of West Garfield Park makes under $25,000, according to the West Garfield Park Community Data Snapshot. What this means is that Care Manor will be able to provide housing for the people that need it the most. Additionally, this means fewer people get priced out of their homes, which prevents and slows down gentrification in Black neighborhoods.
Communities Versus Gentrification
Moreover, the residents of Chicago understand the city has a gentrification problem. Gentrification is the process of displacing communities using predatory real estate practices. Thus, creating more affordable housing makes sure that the people that have lived in their neighborhoods their whole lives aren’t pushed out of them.
Additionally, grandmothers who have raised their entire families in their family homes shouldn’t be forced to sell their homes. Gentrification forces communities to leave by raising things like rent and the value of property around them.
This would be fine if the community members made enough money to keep up, but in almost all cases, the usually Black and brown community members don’t stand a chance. Moreover, creating more affordable housing makes sure that there are still places to live for people that don’t make a million dollars. Chicago can at least make sure that all of its people have the opportunity to be housed.
Affordable Housing for All
More affordable housing is one of the easiest ways to make life easier for the average Chicagoan. Making sure that everyone is in a safe, lead-free home is of the utmost importance. The city is known for its intense weather, and no one should have to face the smoldering heat or the freezing cold without proper shelter. A tent from Walmart isn’t suitable to be living in full-time.
Finally, there should be no underclasses in Chicago’s housing market. The low-income populations of the city deserve much more than lip service from politicians and it seems Brandon Johnson understands that. Creating affordable housing can quite literally save families from homelessness.
Moreover, it seems that creating affordable housing is the clear answer to the lack of affordable housing. Without it, people have fewer opportunities to live in the neighborhoods they grew up in. The absence of affordable housing ruins lives and furthers gentrification.
Written by Kenneth Mazerat
Sources:
Chicago Mayor’s July 19th press release
NlLIHC: The Gap
West Garfield Park Community Data Snapshot
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Eric Allix Rogers’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of ben_osteen’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
