S2 Ep4: One Year Later

In this final episode of Season 2 of Where I Stay, thousands of asylum seekers are showing up on the streets, and in shelters across Chicago. 

A political stunt by the Governor of Texas blossoms into a full blown humanitarian crisis in Chicago, imperiling a new progressive mayor's plans to address homelessness. as well as, provide emergency shelter for tens-of-thousands of new arrivals stuck in political limbo. 

We also explore how the last 50 years of housing policy, while often well intentioned, is replete with mistakes that have contributed to a lack of trust in institutions that hinders progress to this day. From an important, landmark civil rights case that ultimately prevented construction in parts of the city that needed it most, through back room deals to lease out land meant for public housing, all the way to the supreme court.  

Special thanks to Musician Andrew Bird who donated music from his Chicago-inspired, 2013 EP “I Want To See Pulaski At Night” and Block Club Chicago Reporter Joe Ward who broke many of the stories in this episode, also 49th Ward Alderperson Maria Hadden, Erin Ryan, Tom “The Mayor of Uptown” Gordon, and the many encampment residents we interviewed for this story. 

CREDITS:

Reported by Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, A. Allen, Kianna Drummond and Keith Hardiman

Produced by Jesse Betend with help from Jennifer O'Neill

Music by Andrew Bird, Jeremy Blake, AETHER, John Patitucci and Freedom Trail Studios

Editing by Suzanne Hanney, Sheila Solomon, Amanda Jones, Julie Youngquist, Terri Lydon and Cindy Paulauskas

About StreetWise magazine

StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods.

Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout.

About Rivet360

Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.