Housing advocates in Chicago have made the decision to pivot their strategy, opting to negotiate directly with City Hall rather than continuing to seek assistance from President Donald Trump’s administration.
This change comes after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sided with ten housing groups in late 2023, following a civil rights complaint that alleged the City Council members were unlawfully blocking affordable housing projects.
The complaint, initially filed in November 2018 by the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance and nine other groups, detailed how alderpersons exercised their veto power to prevent low-income housing from being established in certain parts of the city, particularly in majority-white neighborhoods on the Far North Side.
Patricia Fron, executive director of the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, emphasized the long-standing history of this issue, noting that the local control over zoning and land use, established decades ago, has significantly shaped who can live where in the city.
Fron expressed hope that under the administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson, there would be a recognition of the necessity for change.
The complaint pointed to the practice known as “aldermanic prerogative,” which gives City Council members near-total power over zoning and land use in their wards.
According to the complaint, this power has been misused to limit the development of affordable housing, a practice tracing back to the 1930s.
During that era, council members from predominantly white neighborhoods opposed racially integrated public housing, fearing it would disrupt their communities.
Discussions surrounding the complaint have revealed that concerns persist among residents in areas like Edison Park and Jefferson Park, where local meetings have often seen opposition to the introduction of public housing, despite affordable housing and public housing being distinct programs.
The city mandates that new rental housing developments include a portion of low-income units, and developers must typically secure the support of local alderpersons to move forward with their projects.
HUD intervened after recognizing that low-income residents were being systematically excluded from certain neighborhoods, an action deemed a violation of civil rights.
In a letter to City Hall lawyers, a HUD official raised concerns about the city’s use of local veto power in light of its demonstrated impacts on community integration and compliance with federal regulations.
While there has been no formal announcement about the closure of the aldermanic prerogative case, Fron and other advocates expressed skepticism about the Trump administration’s willingness to prioritize civil rights enforcement, especially given the considerable time that has elapsed since the original complaint was lodged.
Before HUD completed its investigation and corroborated the discriminatory practices, there had already been efforts to engage the city in discussions aimed at reform.
Despite calls from housing advocates and the findings from HUD that highlight systemic discrimination, a City Hall spokesperson has opted not to comment on the ongoing discussions.
Since taking office, Mayor Lori Lightfoot had previously signed a binding agreement with HUD in May 2023, which mandated that Chicago reform its zoning and land-use policies that have historically contributed to the placement of polluting businesses in low-income neighborhoods on the South and West Sides.
As advocates now seek direct negotiations with City Hall, the hope is to establish a more equitable framework for affordable housing development across the city, especially in areas that have been resistant to such initiatives in the past.
image source from：chicago
