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A ‘Voices’ Community Conversation: The Impact of Segregation on Housing in Chicago
One of the lasting impacts of segregation in Chicago is the difficulty many face in finding housing.
The city routinely ranks among the most segregated big cities in America when measured by the dissimilarity index, a tool used to gauge how evenly distributed demographic groups are throughout a distinct geographic area.
Local organizations, researchers and everyday Chicagoans are working to uncover the costs of housing segregation and fight for fair housing in their communities.
“Chicago Tonight” host Brandis Friedman was joined for this Community Conversation by Charles Branham, a former professor of history and a senior historian at the DuSable Museum of African-American History; Alejandra Cancino, a senior reporter at Injustice Watch; Geoff Smith, executive director and principal investigator for the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University and Nikki Patin, the program director at R.A.G.E — the Resident Association of Greater Englewood.
They discussed the history of segregation and racial housing policies in Chicago and the lasting impact they’ve had on those trying to find safe, stable housing.
For more on this topic, visit WTTW’s FIRSTHAND: Segregation where you’ll find past reporting and discussions.
Stories about Chicago homeownership are supported by funding from The Chicago Community Trust.
