South Shore residents need protections to stay in their neighborhood, so that those who have been here can benefit from the Obama Presidential Center. 

South Shore is the #1 neighborhood for eviction filings in 2021. South Shore is 93% Black, and 77% of residents are renters. Over half of South Shore residents are rent burdened (more than 30% of income is spent on rent). Meanwhile, property value in South Shore has increased by 48% in the past year (Oct '20-'21). Sources: Census 2021 and Redfin.

The Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) Coalition won protections for Woodlawn after a 5-year campaign, but protections for South Shore were excluded from the Woodlawn housing ordinance. Now, the CBA Coalition demands protections for South Shore renters and homeowners. This package of policies could be immediately implemented and prevent displacement in South Shore.


We demand that the City of Chicago, Mayor Johnson, Alderman Desmon Yancy (5th Ward), and Alderman Greg Mitchell (7th Ward):

Ensure Equitable Development in South Shore

  • Set aside 100% of the City-owned vacant lots in South Shore for affordable housing development. Developments on these lots should be truly affordable: 75% of the units reserved for 15%-30% of Area Median Income (AMI), with the other 25% of units reserved for 60% AMI.
  • Create a South Shore pilot affordable housing overlay, requiring 60% of any new developments to be reserved for 30% AMI. Off-site units must be located within the pilot area.


Protect South Shore Homeowners

  • Establish a Renew South Shore Program and allocate $12m to the program to provide grants and down-payment assistance for South Shore residents. 
  • Allocate $20m to the Long Term Homeowner Improvement Grant Program for South Shore homeowners.
  • Forgive the $2.3m in tax debt owed by primarily low-income residents of the 5th & 7th wards.

Expand Tenant Protections

  • Create and fund an Office of the Tenant Advocate.
  • Create and fund a Rental Registry. 
  • Set aside $15m in immediate rental relief for South Shore tenants; commit to  $5m annual allocation.
  • Establish and fund a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Program.
  • Establish a cap on rental application fees, move-in fees, and security deposits.
  • Expand the Fair Notice protections for South Shore residents.
  • Guarantee the Right to Return when tenants are displaced due to City code enforcement activity; provide relocation assistance to tenants whose landlords cannot pay. ​

Prevent and Address Displacement ​

  • Create and implement a Right to Return preference policy that prioritizes current and former longtime residents of South Shore in the awarding of any loans, grants, or subsidized units.

Preserve Affordable Housing

  • Establish and allocate $5m to a South Shore Loan Fund for purchases and rehabilitation of vacant single-family homes and multi-unit buildings, requiring 60% of units at 30% AMI and 40% at 60% AMI.
  • Allocate $3m annually to the PEAR Program for multi-unit buildings in South Shore
  • Allocate $5m to the Chicago Low-Income Trust Fund for subsidized units in South Shore.

Hold Chicago Housing Authority Accountable

  • Increase resources and access, and lower barriers for South Shore voucher holders to participate in the Choose to Own Homeownership Program.
  • Use the REAP Program to purchase and convert newly developed South Shore properties to public housing.
Read comprehensive details on this package of policy demands here. 

Download the one-pager here.

In the News

"Chicago neighbors say Obama center is raising rents, forcing them out" Washington Post, April 3, 2023

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"As work on the Obama Presidential Center progresses, South .." Chicago Tribune, Nov 14 2021

"Questions over Obama Center's impact on South Shore housing lingers" WGN, Nov 14 2021

"Residents Worry About Obama Presidential Center's Impact" NBC Chicago, Nov 14 2021

"Obama Library Chicago: South Shore coalition lists demands to protect residents from displacement" ABC 7, Nov 14 2021