SUMMER 1999

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Stop Housing Destruction!

         In their ongoing fight to get an adequate housing replacement plan from the federal government, Chicago Housing Authority residents and the Coalition To Protect Public Housing (CPPH) held a public hearing on June 19, 1999.  Elected and appointed officials from HUD, CHA, and Chicago attended.
         Formed in 1996, the Coalition to Protect Public Housing is a vocal advocate for the rights of public housing residents.  In 1996 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mandated the demolition of more than 100,000 units of public housing nationwide.  Up to 18,000 of these units, nearly 20% are in Chicago.  According to coalition,  the Chicago Housing Authority does not have an adequate plan for the 42,000 residents, most of them women and children, who would be displaced.  
        At the hearing, members from CPPH and Public housing and community  residents gave testimonials on the lack of accessible section 8 and low income housing.  They voiced frustration at how thevoice of the people living in public housing have been ignored  through the redevelopment process.  The hearing also forced Phil Jackson, the new President of CHA, (no relation to Chicago Bulls head coach)  to recognize the coalition as a legitimate organization with members that are both residents and non-residents. This was the first time residents were able to speak on their own behalf concerning the redevelopment of their projects.  Residents demanded a redevelopment process that recognizes the value of community-controlled redevelopment and management.

         After the hearing there was a celebration Rally and Speak Out held at Union Park.  Local groups and organizations showcased their talents.  There was singing, poetry, live music and  free food for all who came to speak and listen. The moms welcomed the Welfare Warriors and enthusiastically asked for copies of the Voice.  My 2 year old daughter kept me busy but I did get a chance to speak to moms about housing in Chicago and the city’s so-called “redevelopment” plans.

         I come from the Harold Ickes Homes, a project that spans from Cermak and State Street to 24th and State.  When I was little, there was nothing to fear in the projects.  Everyone knew everyone.  Even though I haven’t stayed there for ten years people still remember me, and still know me and my family today.  My grandmother came to the Ickes in the 60’s.  There in a three bedroom apartment my grandmother raised 6 kids: 4 daughters and 2 sons.  And although almost everyone has moved away and she has to pay full rent for her apartment because she doesn’t qualify for low income rent, there she still stays.

         When I was a child I loved it there.  I could ride my bike in the winter (we have very large indoor hallways), spend nights over at my friends houses and not even leave my floor.  In the summer me and all my friends would go to the Henry Booth House for free breakfast in the morning.  We would stay outside and play and then go back for free lunch, and play some more.  And if our mommas allowed we would ride our bikes to the lake which is only about 6 or 7 blocks away.  As a matter of fact we lived about 5 minutes away from downtown and could simply walk around the corner to Chinatown and get fresh baked almond cookies, go to the library, or eat the best Asian food I’ve ever tasted.

         It really wasn’t bad at all.  I remember when a few years ago CHA put security guards at the entry of every building and made everyone sign into the buildings like they were prisons.  When we visited our grandmother we had to show ID cards and sign in.  We begged her to move.  For a long time now I could not understand why she didn’t.

         Now the guards are gone. Now they want to destroy the projects all together.   They don’t realize that they are not just destroying the projects, or just displacing thousands of families.  They are destroying our community, our culture, and our extended family relationships that took generations to build.  That's why my grandmother chooses to stay.  The very same reasons that the government and CHA use as excuses to tear down the projects happen in every poor community across the world.  No more excuses.  Our projects need to be taken care of not destroyed.  Redevelop don’t Displace!!