On July 10th, 2025, the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) hosted its first homeowner relational meeting—marking a powerful step forward in their commitment to building Black and Brown homeownership on the Southwest side of Chicago. These homeowner meetings are designed to provide space for local leaders to share their experiences, concerns, and aspirations around becoming homeowners—while also fostering deep one-to-one relational conversations with SWOP organizers and fellow residents.

The gathering allowed participants to access resources and information on upcoming homeownership classes and explore what’s possible through collaboration and collective action. SWOP organizers also shared exciting news: they’ve been named finalists in the prestigious Pritzker Traubert Foundation’s Chicago Prize for their Reclaiming Chicago Initiative—an ambitious project focused on rehabbing and constructing single-family homes in the North Lawndale, Back of the Yards, Chicago Lawn, and Greater Roseland communities. With 79 homes already under construction and 80 more shovel-ready for 2025, the initiative is well underway in turning vacant lots into vibrant, stable communities.

Through meetings like this, SWOP continues to show that relationship-building is just as foundational as brick and mortar in reclaiming Chicago.

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