Nov 20, 2024 Story by: Editor
At a meeting held at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, the Evanston Reparations Committee revealed that nearly $5.2 million has been distributed to reparations recipients as part of the Restorative Housing Program.
Since its inception in 2019, the local reparations fund has expanded to $20 million, with more than $5 million disbursed directly to eligible residents through $25,000 individual grants under the program. “It has begun the process of healing and repair in our own city,” said committee member Robin Rue Simmons.
Initially, the Restorative Housing Program focused solely on home ownership, home improvements, and mortgage assistance. However, in March 2023, the committee broadened the program to include direct cash payments as an option.
In a report presented by Tasheik Kerr, assistant to the city manager, city staff engaged with 73 direct descendants of Black residents who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969. As of November 1, these descendants are eligible for reparations. Among them, six opted for home improvement benefits, while 70 chose cash benefits, with some dividing their allocation between the two. A total of $1,775,000 has been designated for direct descendants.
Additionally, Kerr reported that all ancestor reparations recipients had been contacted, and $3,398,544.97 has been allocated to these individuals. Out of 141 qualifying recipients, 132 have made their selections: 30 chose home improvement benefits, four selected a combination of home improvement and mortgage assistance, 20 opted for mortgage assistance, and 83 preferred cash benefits, with some splitting the funds.
Despite these options, no recipients have chosen to use the funds to purchase a home. “The reparations housing working group would like to support you in (purchasing a home), whether you’ve already received your funds (or) are still waiting for them,” said Alderman Bobby Burns (5th). “There are challenges in trying to find a home in Evanston.”
The meeting also included an announcement by Rue Simmons about a special exhibit at the Evanston Public Library to mark the fifth anniversary of Resolution 126-R-19, which established the reparations committee in November 2019.
Shorefront Legacy Center Executive Director Laurice Bell shared updates on the Intergenerational Interview Project, an initiative to document the experiences of reparations recipients and connect youth with elders. The program trains students from Evanston Township High School, Niles North High School, and New Trier Township High School to interview recipients and write articles. Since its launch in February, the project has digitized conversations and articles for Shorefront’s online journal.
“We recognize that the youth learned from the elders, but the elders learned from the youth,” Bell said. “There’s so much healing when people can speak and explain that the history that happened didn’t just happen to other people, it’s happening to people now as well.” The project aims to recruit a new cohort of students in December.
The committee also honored the late Alderman Delores Holmes (5th), who passed away on October 22. A resolution was adopted to commemorate Holmes’ lifelong dedication to social equity, community development, and advocacy for Black Evanstonians.
“I want to recognize Alderman Holmes’ role and leadership in the work that we’re doing today,” said Rue Simmons. “It took Alderman Holmes in position on the Equity and Empowerment Commission in 2019 to really legitimize (local reparations) and validate it with her leadership and experience and expertise to be able to be passed to the 80th Evanston City Council.” Source: Daily North Western