The Chicago suburb’s reparation initiative will distribute $10 million over 10 years for Black families affected by racist government policies, housing discrimination and the lingering effects of slavery between 1919 and 1969.
Evanston’s city council passed a resolution on Monday that directs initial funding of $400,000 to a housing program that will award eligible households up to $25,000.
Officials in the suburb say the initiative, which has been in the planning stages since 2019, is designed to address the discriminatory housing policies and practices faced by Black residents.
The $10 million program — the first of its kind in the nation when approved in 2019 — will be funded through marijuana sales tax revenue along with some donations.
