Dear <<First Name>>,
Recently, many of us have been focused on reforming systems and policies in the name of a more just society. Structural change towards a more fair, racially equitable society is not a linear process, yet we know that each one of us must play a role to take steps towards this vision.
EDC will focus our work this summer on designing and building four accessory dwelling units (ADUs) across our community. (We are grateful for the 4 property owners who have chosen to work with us!) With energy-efficient building materials, resident worker-owners, and partnerships to address affordability, we’re ready for our cooperative to take a real step forward in construction.
With construction, we need to acknowledge the COVID-19 health risk that spreads every day around the world. As a cooperative, we believe in people over capital, and that involves a detailed COVID-aware construction protocol that will be followed on all EDC job sites.
With everything occurring in our community, our country, and our world, we simply can’t go “back to the way things were”. If you’d like to share your perspective on how Evanston can chart a new path forward, we’d appreciate an email or call.
Sincerely,
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Growing a Worker Cooperative
As EDC approaches construction on our projects, it’s critical to have residents with experience in the building trades join our cooperative as worker-owners.
A lifelong Evanston resident and ETHS grad recently joined EDC as our third full-time worker-owner, for the purpose of overseeing on-site construction operations.
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Shorefront Presentation
Dino Robinson of Shorefront Legacy Center joined a virtual meeting with our cooperative members to present on Black history in the North Shore, where he discussed discriminatory housing practices such as redlining and blockbusting.
Thank you to Mr. Robinson for guiding Evanston’s understanding of our past, so that we can better address our community’s need for racial equity and reparations today and in the future.
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Illinois Green Alliance - GreenBuilt Home Tour
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Online Event
Come learn about the role ADUs can play in sustainability and the technology behind EDC’s all-electric ADU! In partnership with the City of Evanston and Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, this affordable rental home demonstrates how social equity and sustainability can work hand-in-hand.
You can get tickets (pay what you like) and information about the event here.
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Partner Spotlight - Evanston Lumber
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We are grateful to have Bob Fisher and his son Jared join EDC as cooperative owners, bringing with them decades of experience in construction and a respected household name - Evanston Lumber!
“My family has been deeply rooted in the community for over 75 years, and Jared and I are excited to be involved in housing sustainability with EDC,” said Bob .“It’s fun to see smaller scale but cutting edge ideas become reality!”
In business since 1948, Evanston Lumber provides a wide selection of lumber, doors, windows, and building products. We look forward to working closely with Evanston Lumber to build quality homes across Evanston.
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Zoning and Racial Equity
As Richard Rothstein writes in The Color of Law:
“To prevent lower-income African Americans from living in neighborhoods where middle-class whites resided, local and federal officials began in the 1910s to reserve middle-class neighborhoods for single-family homes that lower-income families of all races could not afford.”
According to Evanston’s 1972 Comprehensive Plan, most of our City’s single-family districts date back to the original Municipal Zoning Ordinance adopted in 1921. When looking at three maps, one can see the lasting effects of these exclusionary zoning policies in Evanston today.
First, Evanston’s zoning map designates “single-family only” neighborhoods as “R1.” Second, this map breaks down racial composition by neighborhood. Third, these data show the 2014-15 household income of children (now in their 30s & 40s) that grew up in different Evanston neighborhoods. These images demonstrate the legacy of economic and racial segregation in Evanston, and their visible effect on generations living today.
To learn more about how other cities have addressed exclusionary zoning, you can read more about Minneapolis’ 2040 comprehensive plan. This video from the Urban Institute is also a great introduction to zoning policy.
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