Affordable Housing Plan Approved In Oak Park Despite Opposition

OAK PARK, IL — Oak Park trustees have voted to approve an affordable housing apartment building, despite heated debate with those who oppose the construction. Tuesday's unanimous vote will allow non-profit developers to build the 37-unit building at the intersection of Van Buren and South Oak Park Avenue, according to Wednesday Journal.

At the meeting those who opposed the proposal expressed concerns that affordable would negatively affect the local economy and property values. "No one will want to buy property beside or near it," resident Thelmare Varnado said at the meeting. Others opposed the project because of concerns about panhandling and crime, according to Trustee Deno Andrews.

Andrews, who said at the meeting that he had been on the fence about the development, addressed these and some of the other concerns residents sent him via email, social media, and phone. Andrews added that he got "many more emails" in support of the project than against it.

Andrews, who once employed several ex-offenders at his former restaurant, Felony Franks said he was confident that crime would not go up in area around the development. His biggest concern, he said was that those who live in the affordable housing building "are not going to be welcomed by their neighbors."

"We're up against the challenge of marginalization, segregation, and the stigmatization of those who own $16 to $17 an hour," Andrews said, adding that he wants to "make sure that these neighbors be welcomed in our community and not be marginalized."

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