Comments for Chicago's public housing through international eyes

Chicago's public housing through international eyes

2009-10-29T17:30:00Z

Raquel Rolnik talks to Sean Johnson, a resident of Altgeld Gardens, about his housing problems

I imagined she would be austere and solemn. Sort of like the White Witch of Narnia, only not evil and speaking several languages.

Turns out that Raquel Rolnik, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, is anything but reserved. It's not often you meet a Brazilian housing policy expert who empathizes with a black man from Chicago's public housing, but that's just what Rolnik is like. On her three day visit to Chicago, she's taken to the streets, trying to meet people and hear their stories directly.

Her tour of Chicago's public housing started at the city's most famous development - Cabrini-Green.

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Comment from rhoticity on 2009-10-29

2009-10-29T23:57:53Z

I'm so jealous that you got to meet her. Holy cow.

Comment from Megan Cottrell on 2009-10-29

2009-10-30T00:39:32Z

She was so cool! One of the few public officials I have meet that isn't stand-offish and afraid of the media.

Comment from Matthew on 2009-10-29

2009-10-30T04:27:06Z

So what are your thoughts on the proposed Red Line extension that would terminate on the Northeast edge of Altgeld?

Comment from Megan Cottrell on 2009-10-30

2009-10-30T14:01:35Z

Just off the top of my head - because I don't know much about the project...

I think it would be good. It's so isolated down there. If you don't have a car, it's so hard to get places. The bus comes, but imagine how long you have to wait for that bus...

One of the things that residents talked about was the lack of jobs and the lack of access to jobs because of transportation. Not just at Altgeld - but a lot of public housing sites didn't have good transportation options. And transit is one of the ways communities can be come successful - people are going in and out, there are stores, people can get to and from jobs. It ends some isolation.

I think it would take a lot, A LOT, more than just one train station to end the isolation at Altgeld. But I think it would be a huge start.

So, what do you think? I am curious.

Comment from iamhumanrights on 2009-11-05

2009-11-05T20:28:59Z

HI Megan Thanks for covering the special rapp. mission i would like to do a wrap up when i get back from d.c. with you as the coordinator of this mission to Chicago. I would like to discuss our future plans and how historical this mission really was.
J.R. FLEMING HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT!

Comment from Megan Cottrell on 2009-11-07

2009-11-07T14:28:18Z

Hi J.R.! Thanks for commenting. It was great to meet you, and I would love to talk with you further. I have your number, so I will give you a call, but if you don't hear from me soon, email me at megan (dot) m (dot) cottrell (at) gmail.com