Chicago suburb locals hope reparations addresses 'affordability pressures' as Black population dwindles

Residents of a Chicago suburb hope its local reparations program "could alleviate affordability pressures" as the Black population dwindles in the city, according to a new report.

"It's become more about green than Black," community activist Meleika Gardner told the Daily. "It's about the money and who can afford to stay here."

Rev. Michael C. R. Nabors, the president of Evanston's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, believes the city is "losing a stock of our diversity."

"We have not been able to replace Blacks who are moving because housing has just gone up out of this world," Nabors said. 

He continued, "For the Blacks who've been here for a generation or more, their parents or grandparents probably bought homes for a fraction of that amount."

"Beyond zoning, some community members told The Daily the city's reparations program could also help alleviate affordability pressures. Nabors said the program is a 'major, important first step' to address population shifts," the outlet reported.

"Millions of those dollars now are being used to support Black families in Evanston that have been damaged by historical racism related to housing," Nabors added. 

However, one resident disagreed with the reparations program. Darlene Cannon told the Daily that the program is "not repairing anything."

"We had redlining here, and my family was forced to live in the 2nd Ward instead of being given an option to live in the 6th or 7th Ward," Cannon said. "Twenty-five thousand dollars doesn't make up for the true damage that was caused."

"Still, Nabors said he sees reparations as the beginning of a 'cooperation' between Black residents and city developers and officials. Going forward, he said building multi-unit properties could help Black residents stay in Evanston," the Daily reported.

Evanston officials did not respond to a request for comment.

"The city is aware of the court's recent ruling. The city will continue to vehemently defend this case," a spokesperson for the city said.