The Village Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement proclaims that, “The Village of Oak Park must continue to support its fair housing philosophy that fosters integration and unity in our community.” Sadly, after decades of low segregation in the community, the American Community Survey demonstrates that Oak Park’s Black:White segregation in the rental market has jumped significantly between 2018 and 2022.
Segregation is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, in which 0 is perfect integration and 100 is total segregation. For decades, Oak Park has scored in the low segregation range with scores typically in the mid-30s. However, over the four years between 2018 and 2022 (the most recent data available), segregation of the rental market moved into the moderately segregated range as it jumped from a score of 33 to a score of 42. That is a 27% increase in the level of segregation and cause for alarm.
This rise in segregation, after decades of sustainable integration, is a shock but not necessarily a surprise. Integration requires intentionality because the housing market naturally reinforces segregation. In Oak Park, the intentional strategy relies on a strong collaboration between village hall and the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. Over the same period in which segregation has increased, the collaboration between these two institutions has frayed and activity has waned. Just as happened in other communities (e.g. Shaker Heights now scores 53), segregation is rising as intentional integration efforts have diminished.
The detriments related to racial segregation are well documented. Residential segregation correlates with many inequities that we aspire to eliminate in Oak Park. As segregation worsens, racial disparities in educational outcomes, wealth generation, property values, insurance rates, mortgage lending rates, commercial and small business investment, and health outcomes also intensify. Increases in racial segregation are also associated with reductions in racial harmony, civic participation, and economic growth.
Housing segregation affects all other areas of life. Segregated neighborhoods result in segregated schools, social networks, and housing markets. It harms all of us negatively by reducing prosperity and limiting opportunities. It serves as a tool of oppression by exacerbating racial disparities and reducing multiracial connections. Moreover, segregation is antithetical to our community’s core values and aspirations. Failing to reinvest in racial residential integration will result in negative consequences for all residents and a loss of our community’s character and values.
The strategy to avert further segregation relies on the village and the Housing Center reinvesting in and reinvigorating our community’s intentional integration efforts. The village must reinvest in the Housing Center, restoring it to the capacity it had prior to the pandemic.
The village must also modernize the Multi-Family Housing Incentives Program (once known as the Diversity Assurance Program) to more directly incentivize landlords in the community to list their vacancies with the Housing Center and actively, affirmatively further fair housing. The Housing Center must prioritize its programming in Oak Park, increasing marketing to under-represented populations, encouraging housing seekers to consider the full range of options in Oak Park, working closely with landlords to improve fair housing compliance, and engaging with residents to build multiracial coalitions that can leverage our residential integration for more equitable outcomes in other arenas.
The reality is staring us straight in the face. Segregation in our community has intensified to the point of urgency. Leaders at village hall and at the Housing Center must act urgently to prioritize intentional integration efforts. Otherwise, Oak Park will continue to segregate just like other communities that abandoned their intentional efforts. It is an unacceptable path, and an avoidable one if our leaders take action now.
Rob Breymaier, Laura Crawford, Maria De La Torre, Linda Francis, Cristal Gary, Thomas Gary, Omar Ghoneim, Michael Goldberg, Janice Huang, Kuang-Hao Huang, Bharathi Jayaram, Mattie Langenberg, Kelly LeRoux, Meagan Luhrs, Nicole McCann-Davis, Ami Novoryta, Doug Schenkelberg, Ryan Thompson, Rachel Unruh, Javier Villa-Flores, Phyllis Walden
Oak Park