Chicago Suburb: Black Evanston Residents Reject Reparations Program

A few months ago, Evanston, Ill became the first city to introduce racist reparations to current and future black residents. The program was originally designed to pay $25K to Black residents in the form of coverage for home improvement costs, down payment and closing cost assistance, and mortgage payments. The news of this became widely publicized around the country, however over the past three months, hundreds of black residents have rallied their support behind the online group Evanston Rejects Racist Reparations to demand the program be paused and re-evaluated.

Many of the existing residents felt like the program puts too many restrictions on how they can use the money. They view this as a “housing voucher program” rather than actual reparations. For example, a black homebuyer wanted to use the allocated $25k for a house but learned that it wouldn’t be enough to cover a standard down payment on an average-priced home in Evanston, which is currently above $400k. Economist, William Darity Jr., stated that proper reparations usually stem from the federal government and would cost approximately $11 trillion but local reparation programs like in Evanston cannot necessarily meet the bill for black reparations. Other issues shown in the program is that they have full control over how the money is spent and have limitations on homeowner requirements. Residents also have to work with local banks and real estate companies which also have a history of practicing discrimination.

Community organizer, Sebastian Nalls, said “the beneficiaries of this program would be those who initially did the harm of redlining here in Evanston. Black Evanston residents need to be determining their own repair.” Many eligible residents are continuing the push to have the program re-evaluated as it is not in the best interests for them. One resident stated “I don’t know where it’s going from here. I don’t think it’s going anyplace. I was surprised but I can’t say that I was any more angry or surprised than when I first heard that the reparations were going to be given for people to buy houses, rather than for something benefiting the whole black community. Because whoever got the money, it did not benefit me or mine.”

Black Evanston residents are continuing their efforts in attending town hall meetings to advocate for building affordable housing and community land trusts in addition to cash payments.

Stay tuned for further updates on the story within the next few months.