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