On Sunday, May 18th, 2025, over 200 community leaders, organizers, and residents gathered inside the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for a powerful celebration hosted by the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) and United Power for Action and Justice. Together, they honored the milestone achievement of selling 60 homes to 60 new homeowners as part of their ongoing Reclaiming Campaign — an initiative aimed at revitalizing Chicago’s long-neglected neighborhoods, block by block.
The sanctuary was filled with joy and pride as several of the most recent homeowners took the stage to share their testimonies. Each story was a moving reminder of the transformational impact that safe, affordable, and stable housing has on families and communities. From families finally being able to settle down in their loved communities, to individuals achieving the dream of homeownership after years of renting in neighborhoods riddled with vacancies and abandoned lots — the event reflected what’s possible when community comes together to demand and create change.
But while the day was one of well-earned celebration, it also served as a sobering reminder of the challenges that remain. Community leaders addressed the broken promises made by City and State officials who pledged financial support for housing initiatives in Chicago’s disinvested communities. Many of those promises have been delayed or deprioritized, with officials citing a greater focus on development in the downtown area.
“This isn’t just about buildings — it’s about lives, about dignity, about correcting decades of disinvestment,” one speaker declared from the podium. “Our communities deserve the same opportunities, the same investments, the same attention as any other part of this city.”
In response, SWOP and United Power announced plans for a major public action on July 27th, 2025, where hundreds of residents and faith, labor, and community leaders will gather to demand an additional $15 million in subsidies for affordable housing in South and West Side neighborhoods. This upcoming action will be a clear statement to decision-makers that the needs and voices of Chicago’s communities will not be ignored or cast aside in favor of what may seem more profitable for the city’s image.
