Chicago City Council Passes Woodlawn Neighborhood Affordable Housing Plan

Chicago leaders hope to help shield Woodlawn residents from threats of displacement with a new affordable housing preservation ordinance passed Wednesday.

The Woodlawn Housing Ordinance also aims to generate opportunities for residents to become homeowners and “ensure inclusive economic growth” for the neighborhood, according to a City of Chicago news release.

“Since day one, our efforts have been focused on building economic growth and cultural enrichment in the Woodlawn community while also ensuring that every neighborhood resident is able to stay in their homes and share the transformative promise by the Obama Presidential Center,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in the release. “This groundbreaking ordinance is a testament to our partnership with Ald. (Leslie) Hairston, Ald. (Jeanette) Taylor and Woodlawn’s residents in a collective effort to prevent displacement and further opportunity for this community.”

The legislation allocates $4.5 million — and an additional $5 million from banks and lenders — for new expanded housing programs.

It also ramps up “bold” tenet protections, sets further requirements of use of city-owned vacant land, and establishes a pilot program that will allow tenants to refuse if a building owner looks to sell, which will help them to avoid displacement.

The ordinance came forward for a vote after “months of robust community engagement and input,” according to the city. Woodlawn residents had the opportunity to give input at more than 20 community meetings.

City officials said Wednesday they were “proud” to support the endeavor.

“From the beginning we have been committed to making residents the focal point of this legislation — bringing hundreds of renters, homeworkers and other stakeholders to the table,” Department of Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara said in the release. “And together we have created an ordinance to ensure that everyone who lives in Woodlawn — both renters and homeowners — are able to stay and share in the unprecedented potential offered by the Obama Presidential Center.”

Photo: Getty Images