The city of Chicago lost more than $3.1 billion in wealth, or about
$2,900 per household, in 2012 as a result of the foreclosure crisis,
according to a new report from the Alliance for a Just Society.
And more than $192 billion in homeowner wealth was lost nationally last year, the new analysis shows.
Communities of color in Chicago saw more foreclosures and lost wealth per household compared to other communities.
In
2012, the average Chicago household in zip codes with the highest
concentration of people of color lost $3,700 in wealth, the “Wasted Wealth” (PDF) report found.
In comparison, the average wealth lost in segregated white communities was about $1,300 per household.
“Seeing
this loss of wealth per household is profound," said the Rev. Marilyn Pagán-Banks, president of IIRON, which also worked on the release of the report. "People of color in
Chicago, whose majority equity holdings remain in real estate, have been
particularly affected by the crisis.”
Although the Chicago are saw a year-over-year decrease on homes with
negative equity, there were still almost 645,000 homeowners that owed
more on their mortgages than their homes were worth at the end of
December.
Foreclosure filings increased by exactly one percent in the city of
Chicago between the first six months of 2011 and first half of 2012,
according to data
compiled by the Woodstock Institute. But the jump in foreclosures was
more dramatic in a handful of struggling, mostly black neighborhoods on
the South Side.
Filings in West Pullman were up 58.7 percent from
155 to 246 in the first half of this year compared to 2011. The number
of foreclosures jumped in Englewood 24.1 percent from 141 to 175 and
climbed in Calumet Heights 54 percent from 50 to 77. Read more »
A San Francisco-based firm spent the morning trying to sell the Chicago
City Council on the idea that they can use eminent domain to seize
properties in danger of falling into foreclosure. The firm argued that the use of eminent domain, which occurs when government acquires private property in the name of the greater good, could lead to the public benefit of fewer foreclosures. Representatives from Mortgage Resolution Partners LLC had the ear of Ald. Ed Burke (14th), chairman of the City Council Finance Committee, and the backing of Ald. Ray Suarez (31st), head of the Housing and Real Estate Committee.
But the effort was perhaps futile as Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel indicated at a press conference today that he opposes the plan.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Emanuel said that he did not think eminent domain was the “right instrument” to combat foreclosures. Read more »
The city of Chicago lost more than $3.1 billion in wealth, or about
$2,900 per household, in 2012 as a result of the foreclosure crisis,
according to a new report from the 
Foreclosure filings increased by exactly one percent in the city of
Chicago between the first six months of 2011 and first half of 2012,
according to 
A San Francisco-based firm spent the morning trying to sell the Chicago
City Council on the idea that they can use eminent domain to seize
properties in danger of falling into foreclosure. The firm argued that the use of eminent domain, which occurs when government acquires private property in the name of the greater good, could lead to the public benefit of fewer foreclosures. Representatives from 