Oak Park's intentionally diverse community

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012 10:00 PM

I want to share a report on the rapid changes and increases in suburban diversity over the last 25 years, authored by Myron Orfield of the Brookings Institute and the University of Minnesota's Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity.

The Housing Center's model in Oak Park was cited as a successful effort to sustain stable diversity in a report published the Friday before last. The report makes it clear that stable diversity and integration are not likely to remain sustainable without an active strategy to overcome the larger structure of segregation and exclusion that dominates metropolitan regions, especially in the Midwest and Northeast. It is all the more remarkable that we have been able to sustain this success while situated in the third-most segregated region in the nation.

The report has gotten some good press, including these articles that mention Oak Park's success:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/columns/political-connections/our-diverse-suburbs-20120719

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/23/more-diversity-in-the-suburbs/

The National Journal article has a quote from me stating, "We are an intentionally diverse community." Of course, I had a lot more to say than that when I was interviewed but I think that's a good quote to make the cut.

If you'd like to read policy reports, this one can be found at:

http://www.law.umn.edu/news/study-finds-racially-diverse-suburban-communities-growing-faster-than-white-suburbs-but-resegregation-threatens-prosperity-and-stability-7-20-2012.html

The citation on Oak Park mentions the Housing Center's model and includes a footnote pointing readers to our policy website: www.oprhc.org.

Thank you for your support of our mission to achieve meaningful and lasting racial diversity in Oak Park. Our success depends on the support of our community. Your belief in our mission, partnerships in programming, and donations of time and financial support are what ensure that we can continue to promote an open, inclusive, prosperous, and vibrant community.

Rob Breymaier
Executive director, Oak Park Regional Housing Center and West Cook Homeownership Center

Reader Comments

13 Comments - Add Your Comment

Comment Policy

@are you...

Posted: August 9th, 2012 10:04 AM

@are you... ... able to read? Breymaier *wrote* the article above, and his name and title are on the piece. Don't comment on material that you clearly haven't read.

Foom

Posted: August 9th, 2012 9:37 AM

Just wondering---- I know when I went to the OPRHC I was really really pushed to get a place in east oak park, they went on and on about how great the Austin area is and how its nothing but condos on the other side of town. I feel like since they knew I was moving from out of state they intentionally tried to steer me to that part of the village

just wondering

Posted: August 9th, 2012 9:31 AM

@Rob Breymaier - I always wondered how 'intentional diversity' is allowed under the Fair Housing Act. If 'racial steering' refers to the illegal practice in which prospective home buyers and renters are steered towards or away from certain neighborhoods on the basis of their race, then what is 'intentional diversity'? Is not the OP Regional Housing Center legally bound to show all residential listings w/o any influence or intent concerning race, as per the Fair Hous

Dan Haley from Wednesday Journal Facebook Verified

Posted: August 9th, 2012 7:19 AM

Yes, this would be the same Rob Breymaier who posted the comment using his real name via our Facebook Verified feature. And the same guy who attached a comment to his own letter which actively identified him as the executive director of the Housing Center. He is going to have to get craftier if he is trying to fool anyone.

are you...

Posted: August 9th, 2012 6:42 AM

...the same rob breymaier from the op regional housing center? so you have skin in this game, use your real name bout don't bother to mention your "official" position...kinda hiding something, or you expect everyone to know who you are? Honestly, your post would have more legitimacy if you stated your position with oprhc.

Over It from OP

Posted: August 9th, 2012 6:27 AM

So, it's important to be inclusive and reflect the region's population (apparently because you say it, it must be so), and a survey said that people people value it. I don't see any "competitive advantage" in this diversity, and I'll wager that there is no real data to back it up. So, I can only surmise that the real reason OP cares about diversity is as an elaborate explanation to why living next to a ghetto is a good idea and our property values shouldn't be penalized despite higher crime.

OPRFDad

Posted: August 8th, 2012 11:12 AM

Rob, we have neighbors who think Mann school is the greatest place ever - not necessarily because Mann school actually is a great place, but because they are supposed to think it is great. That pretty much sums up the diversity view in Oak Park. People love to tout diversity here because that's what they are supposed to do. If you really enjoy it, you just take it for granted. Oak Park is a very insecure community, and the obsession with diversity is just one of many facets of that insecurity

Posted: August 8th, 2012 10:22 AM

Rob - Oak Park intentionally diverse - inclusive? More like, Oak Park intentionally intolerant and hypocritical - just ask John and Mary Howell.

Rob Breymaier from Oak Park, Illinois Facebook Verified

Posted: August 8th, 2012 10:02 AM

Does anyone use their real names here? Over It, I think that you're missing the important point of Oak Park being inclusive. Lake Forest is nice place but it isn't as inclusive and doesn't reflect the region's population. OPRF Dad, surveys have shown that diversity is a highly cherished value among Oak Parkers and a competitive advantage in attracting new residents. Housing is dynamic. People move constantly, especially in the rental market, where research shows that between 25-35% of tenants move annually. Oak Park would not remain similarly integrated or diverse without intentional efforts. And, these intentional efforts to integrate our neighborhoods leverage other benefits including better integrated schools and social networks. There are relatively few places in the nation that have been able to sustain both integration and opportunity. Oak Park is consistently cited as a model because we have. Unfortunately, the high level of segregation that marks US cities and regions results in negative consequences for everyone and especially for people of color. If we are going to be true to American ideals and work toward our self interest of a competitive economy, we need to support systems that promote opportunity for all. Again, Oak Park provides a model that others could emulate. This isn't to say Oak Park is perfect. But our intentional efforts have been good for our community and for the people who live here. If anyone wants to talk this over in person, I am always interested in hearing from you.

OPRFDad

Posted: August 7th, 2012 12:59 PM

Does OP's diversity model from decades past continue to reflect the personality and desires of the community? It seems like residents of Oak Park are far less obsessed with diversity than the institutions of Oak Park, such as the Village Board and the school districts. Ask people what they want out of our community, and I'm sure diversity will be the window dressing on safety, education, streets and san, and other nuts and bolts.

Posted: August 7th, 2012 7:44 AM

Amen Over It! Who the hell cares anymore? I sure as hell don't. Sick of all the crap that goes on here.

Q from Oak Park

Posted: August 3rd, 2012 4:54 PM

I don't care who lives next store as long as they are polite, not selling drugs, involved in gangs, trashing the area, having friends over at all times of the day and night without any respect for their neighbors, driving up in cars with the trucks rattling from the sound system in their cars and there are probably a few extra requirements but other then that, welcome neighbor, welcome to Oak Park.

Over It from OP

Posted: August 3rd, 2012 2:27 PM

To what end, Rob? So, we are "intentionally diverse"...and what? Why is that a positive outcome for anyone? Is there any research that says this state of affairs is better than, say, Lake Forest?

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