Housing Discrimination Found In Mt. Greenwood, Meeting Called

CHICAGO — Housing discrimination in and around the 19th Ward will be discussed at a meeting organized by the Southwest Chicago Diversity Collaborative Tuesday night, April 30, at Saint Xavier University. Discussion at the meeting, scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. in the Warde Academic Center's fourth floor boardroom, will center on the results of a report released earlier this year that found housing discrimination in several Chicago neighborhoods, including Mount Greenwood.

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations report is an analysis of findings from a yearlong investigation that took place in 2017. The scope of the investigation, according to SCDC member and meeting organizer Michael Chavarria, was limited to six community areas across the City of Chicago (Mt. Greenwood, Jefferson Park, Near North Side, Hyde Park, Bridgeport and Clearing). The six were chosen for the study because they had the highest rates of housing discrimination complaints according to CCHR, Chavarria said.

"The report's findings include evidence of outright discrimination, differential treatment, and different levels of customer service for prospective tenants searching for housing in Mount Greenwood — both on the basis of race and a person’s source of income," Chavarria said.

Specifically in Mount Greenwood, the report included 12 tests. Of the 12, there were two instances of race-based discrimination and another two instances of source-of-income discrimination.

Chavarria, who lives in neighboring Beverly, said the report found "significant and frequent disparities" in the customer service received by black housing seekers compared to the experiences of white housing seekers.

"Housing discrimination of any type prevents diversity and maintains the demographic status quo, be it economic class, race, religion, etc.," Chavarria said. "Housing providers are the gatekeepers to communities, especially in communities such as Beverly and Mount Greenwood where affordable rental units are scarce.

"When a home seeker using a Housing Choice Voucher identifies a suitable home within this area, it may in fact be the only, or one of the only few that are affordable to them. A single instance of discrimination can therefore completely shut off the community to that individual or family."

Tuesday night's meeting will seek to begin a discussion to fight against housing discrimination in the area. One of the authors of the report will be present before a discussion on "how we can begin to address the issues uncovered by the investigation and ensure that our communities are open to all."

Those who plan to attend the meeting are encouraged to sign-up beforehand here, but last minute show ups will be accepted as the room holds up to 80 people. Anyone who needs accommodations in order to make it to the meeting can call Chavarria at 708-288-5977.