Evanston, Illinois has become the first city in the US to make preparations to financially compensate Black residents for addressing the wealth inequality gaps they have experienced because of historical racism and discrimination in housing, according to NBC.
The Chicago suburb’s City Council voted Monday 8-1 to distribute $400,000 to eligible black households. Each qualifying family would receive up to $25,000 for homeownership and or improvement grants, as well as mortgage assistance.
The housing money is part of a much greater reparations initiative by the city to distribute $10 million over ten years to qualifying households. The funds will be derived from annual marijuana taxes over the next decade. About 16% of the 75,000 residents who live in Evanston are Black.
Categories: News
