Since its founding in 1972, the Oak Park Regional Housing Center has led the charge for fair housing, residential integration, and opening Oak Park as a community where Blacks and other minorities are welcomed and embraced as neighbors.

The Village of Oak Park's first diversity statement was adopted in 1973 to reflect this commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. However, this statement does not demonstrate a commitment to "intentional" racial integration, the goal of which is to break down the barriers of discrimination and segregation separating African Americans from the rest of American society.

If you support this auspicious goal to rededicate the Village of Oak Park back to its commitment to, not only a diverse community but also an integrated one, where people of all races can live in all areas of Oak Park, please SIGN THE HOUSING CENTER'S PETITION to include the following language in Oak Park's diversity statement: 

“WE BELIEVE IN INTENTIONAL, SYSTEMIC, RACIAL RESIDENTIAL INTEGRATION AS THE BEST PROVEN STRATEGY TOWARD CREATING A SENSE OF BELONGING IN ALL PARTS OF THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK FOR PEOPLE OF ALL RACES.

FURTHERMORE, WE UPHOLD RACIAL RESIDENTIAL INTEGRATION IN OAK PARK AS A CRITICAL PILLAR SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN A CULTURALLY VIBRANT, EQUITABLE, OPEN, COHESIVE, RESILIENT COMMUNITY."

1960-2010: Oak Park's Progress on Integration