Historic Gautreaux Settlement Agreement Amendment Accepted By Federal Court

Yesterday U.S. District Judge Marvin Aspen approved a jointly-proposed Amendment to the 2019 Settlement Agreement between the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and Impact for Equity (IFE) in the landmark 1966 Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority federal lawsuit. This lawsuit sought to end systematic racial discrimination in Chicago’s public housing and changed public housing policy for families of color across the nation.

With this joint Amendment, CHA and IFE have agreed and acknowledged that CHA has completed nearly all commitments from the 2019 Settlement Agreement. The amendment outlines the remaining requirements at six CHA developments: Altgeld Gardens, Lakefront Properties, Madden/Wells, Rockwell Gardens, Stateway Gardens, and Robert Taylor Homes. At each of the six sites, certain terms of the 2019 Settlement Agreement will remain in place up to three additional years, or less time if the parties agree that CHA has completed the requirements sooner. All other terms expired on July 31, 2024.

Since 2019, CHA and IFE have worked collaboratively to implement the terms of the Settlement Agreement and mutually reconciled relatively outdated terms to recognize a changing real estate environment.

“This amendment recognizes the significant progress and long-term commitment that CHA and its various stakeholders have made in transforming the fabric of the city of Chicago. In 1968, CHA’s footprint reflected the segregation and policies that Ms. Gautreaux and others experienced. In 2024 we see a different city, a different CHA, and opportunities for all,” said CHA Chief Executive Officer Tracey Scott. “Now with the sunset of certain 58-year limitations on CHA’s investment options, this new era will enable CHA to partner to make greater investments on the South and West Sides, where our federal funding and organizational commitment are needed most. We have turned a page and commit to applying innovative, 21st century tools to create more mixed-income communities and affordable housing for more families throughout the city.”

CHA has worked in partnership with IFE to make significant progress towards the goals of the 2019 Settlement Agreement, including:

1. Completion of over 3,000 mixed-income units including further phases of Southbridge (Ickes), Oakwood Shores (Madden Wells), Cabrini, Roosevelt Square (ABLA), Lathrop Homes, Ogden Commons (Lawndale-Ogden), Horner-Westhaven, Park Boulevard (Stateway Gardens).
2. Creation of over 525 off-site replacement units for Lathrop Homes.
3. Completion of the Altgeld Family Resource Center and Library, as well as renovation of the Chicago Youth Center and the Gautreaux Childcare Center.
4. Began development of a new mixed-use, mixed-income community at LeClaire Courts, the last remaining legacy public housing site.
5. Expanded and enhanced the mobility program for Housing Choice Vouchers.
6. Development of substantially new or rehabilitated mixed-income apartments across the city.

Chicago Housing 1969

Chicago Housing 2024