The Obama Presidential Center has caused significant financial strain for residents of South Chicago. Median home prices have doubled, rents have gone up, and many worry that the project is not being built with their needs in mind.
Despite calls from housing advocates for affordable housing to be made mandatory in the surrounding area, the Obama Foundation has not taken any action. As a result, residents are feeling increasingly frustrated and ignored.
President Obama has spoken about his desire to give back to the community, but residents feel that their concerns are being ignored. The impact on the South Side has been significant, with higher vacancy rates and opportunities for developers to flip properties at the expense of longtime residents.