Pastor Jeffrey Campbell has deep roots in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, where he has served for 22 years while advocating against gentrification and displacement. As rents rise and developments, including the Barack Obama Presidential Center, loom over the area, residents face increasing challenges. Campbell’s history with Obama dates back to the 1980s, yet their visions for the community differ, especially concerning affordable housing.
The opening of the Obama Presidential Center, set to begin operations on June 19, is causing significant changes to the local housing market, contributing to the displacement of long-term Black residents. The community has already seen a 25% decline in Black residents between 2000 and 2019, driven by factors like school closures and increased policing.
Efforts to negotiate community benefits from the Obama Foundation, including affordable housing guarantees, have been largely unsuccessful. While the city has passed ordinances aimed at protecting tenants and promoting affordable housing, an investigation found many promised funds remain unallocated. The local church is now planning senior-only affordable housing to mitigate the impact on elderly residents.
Despite the positive sentiments associated with the center’s opening, many community members express concern over the rising cost of living and the potential for further displacement. Critics argue that while the Obama Center promises jobs and partnerships, it also spurs gentrification.
As anticipation builds for the center’s unveiling, the sentiments are mixed, with some local residents celebrating its historic significance while others worry about the consequences for their housing and community identity.
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