Preserving Community, Creating Opportunity: Shriver Center Honors Those Who Preserved One-Third of Lawndale Restoration Project

(Chicago)— The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law will hold the 2006 Landau Housing Policy Luncheon on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago. This year’s Housing Justice Award recognizes those whose zealous advocacy protected residents of the historic Lawndale Restoration property. The award goes to the named Lawndale plaintiffs in Chicago ACORN v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, including Chicago ACORN, the Housing Preservation Project and Sachnoff and Weaver Ltd.

On behalf of Chicago ACORN and one thousand residents of a federally subsidized project-based Section 8 housing called Lawndale Restoration on Chicago’s West Side, the Shriver Center and co-counsel filed a federal class action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) one year ago. The suit alleged that HUD violated federal law by refusing to maintain the project-based Section 8 contract for the property. From there the case took many twists and turns, defeats and victories, but eventually preserved nearly one-third of the subsidized units. “While not a total win in the traditional sense, this case exemplifies the complexity of this area of law and the ever-present community struggles in changing neighborhoods,” said Katherine Walz, Shriver Center attorney for the plaintiffs.

The luncheon will also feature keynote speaker Timuel Black, author of Bridges of Memory: Chicago’s First Wave of Black Migration, which chronicles black Chicago history from 1920’s to the present. Members of the media are welcome as the guests of the Shriver Center and should RSVP with Rikeesha Cannon (312) 368.2677, Rikeeshacannon@povertylaw.org.

WHO: Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
Sachnoff And Weaver, Ltd. Attorneys: Gary S. Caplan, James A. Rolfes, Max A. Stein, Casey L. Westover; Housing Preservation Project: John “Jack” Cann, attorney; Chicago ACORN, named plaintiff; Joan Banks, named plaintiff; Callie Davis, named plaintiff; Wyvonia Pickett, named plaintiff; Florida Washington, named plaintiff.

WHAT: The 2006 Landau Housing Policy Luncheon and Housing Justice Awards

WHEN: Wednesday, May 24, 2005, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Empire Room at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe Street Chicago, Illinois

HOW: Through the sponsorship of Harris, Metroplex Inc. and support from the Landau Family Foundation