NOTE TO READER & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

NOTE TO READER

This report focuses on the opportunities, barriers, and impacts of public housing authority homeownership programs as they relate to Black voucher holders. This focus was necessitated by the long-documented history of race-based homeownership exclusion committed against Black Americans, the fact that Cook County voucher holders are predominantly Black, and that discrimination against voucher holders in Cook County is largely rooted in anti-Black racism. It is noted that Latinx households are severely underrepresented among Cook County’s voucher holders—an issue the authors believe warrants its own research and recommendations for restitution but one not reviewed herein.

REPORT CONTRIBUTORS

alphabetical Gianna Baker Co-Executive Director, CAFHA Michael Chavarria Community Engagement Manager, HCP Sarah Delgado Community Engagement & Education Manager, CAFHA Patricia Fron Co-Executive Director, CAFHA Amber S. Hendley Researcher, MA Andrea Juracek Executive Director, HCP Dominic Voz Policy Intern, CAFHA

DEDICATED TO

Darolyn Lee, tireless advocate for housing and women’s rights, and the countless Housing Choice Voucher holders whose dream of owning a home was not realized within their lifetime.

JUNE 2021

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was created by the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance and made possible through the support of The Chicago Community Trust.

The findings and recommendations are built upon the life experiences of voucher holders who fearlessly fight for equitable housing opportunities. We especially thank Patrick Barberousse, Regina

Cobb, Jerry Johnson, Darolyn Lee, Laura Martin,

Susan Reed, Sharon Norwood, and the 438 survey respondents who took the time to share their thoughts, experiences, and wisdom with the report authors. The Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit consortium of fair housing and advocacy organizations, government agencies, and municipalities. CAFHA works to combat housing discrimination and promote equitable place-based opportunity through education, advocacy, and collaborative action.

Report design and layout by Housing Action Illinois.