Evanston, Illinois, Approves Reparations Program for Black Residents

On Monday March 22, 2021, the Evanston, Illinois, City Council approved a $400,000 allocation towards the City’s Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program.  This is the first government reparations program for African Americans established in the US. 

The Evanston Reparations Program will initially make $25,000 homeownership and improvement grants and provide mortgage assistance for Black residents.  Eligibility requirements include individuals who have lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969 or be a direct descendant of an individual harmed by discriminatory housing policies or practices during this time period. Individuals who have lived in Evanston after 1969 and can demonstrate discriminatory housing practices by the City may also be eligible.  This program accounts for $400,000 – or 4 percent – of the $10 million in funding designated by the City Council to support local reparations programs and initiatives in Evanston.

A video of the historic City Council meeting in Evanston on Monday is available here. 

Hopefully this give other US cities, and maybe even the Federal Government, the boost they need to soon establish reparations of their own.