Foreclosing on Community: Residential segregation and the long-term effects of the housing crisis in Cook County

On March 19, 2013, IGPA teamed with the Illinois Service Federal Savings and Loan Association and the Coalition of African-American Leaders to host a conference about the effects of the foreclosure crisis on Cook County and surrounding Illinois communities. The conference, “Foreclosing on Community: The Crisis and the Search for Solutions,” was organized by IGPA Senior Fellow Clarence Wood and IGPA sociologist Maria Krysan. This summary, compiled by IGPA Communications Coordinator Kelsey McCoy, incorporates information shared at the conference (updated to reflect recent data and events) and a new analysis by Krysan of the racial dynamics of the crisis in the Chicago area.

At IGPA’s event in 2013, a panel of individuals working on housing issues in the communities hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis shared possible solutions. All members of the panel work closely with local governments, community organizations, and public officials. The panel included: Rob Rose, Vice President of Lending at the Chicago Community Loan Fund, which strategically utilizes investor funds to address housing issues and community development. Adam Gross, Director of the Affordable Housing Program at Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI), which works with community organizations to develop programs that preserve and create affordable housing opportunities. 3 Rugh, Jacob S. and Douglas S. Massey.