‘Opportunity to have access’: Englewood residents get land to build dreams for the community and themselves

CHICAGO (CBS) —  It is a 1-of-a-form gift that is serving to fortify and beautify a single Chicago community.

CBS 2’s Steven Graves introduces us to one particular blessed winner and his ideas to pour love into his neighborhood.

As Dr. Marlon Haywood walks down Loomis in the vicinity of 62nd avenue in Englewood…

“I had household that stayed in that household, I had family that stayed in that setting up.”

There are sweet moments of his childhood used with Grandma arrive to brain.

“She had a sweet retailer on the block with the sweet and the icy cups.”

It’s also the place a desire designed.

“I used to walk past the abandoned properties when I was young and would say ‘who’s likely to be the 1 to make that adjust?”

Now at 35 years previous, he is a aspect of that improve, going for walks on his freshly owned ton, only toes from where by he grew up with his grandma. 

He gained the 3,720 vacant parcel this earlier Sunday, fully free. The Resident Association of Greater Englewood or R.A.G.E. teamed up with the Cook dinner County Land Lender to celebrate Juneteenth. Winners experienced to have property on the block in which the vacant large amount was.

“They have the possibility to have accessibility, just having the option to very own a thing on their block,” explained Acquisition Expert Elisha Sanders.

A standard sized lot of 32-50 sq.-feet in Englewood can operate a person up $3,500.

“At the end of the working day, we want people today to be in a position to move alongside some thing to their households that is worth benefit,” stated Aisha Butler of RAGE.

Though this is initiative is focused on filling vacant land, there is also a press to handle the problem of vacant houses. RAGE estimates pretty much 50% of housing inventory in Englewood is vacant. They assistance tackle the problem as a result of their Re-UP campaign and other giveaways.

Haywood, a youth mentor, mentioned he strategies to provide trailers into the vacant great deal and change them into a risk-free house for young men and women.

Providing back again and building a positive legacy.

“When you arrive back five years later on, you happen to be heading to say ‘wow.’ There is a movement I really feel like is about to acquire area and transform this Englewood local community.”

In all, 11 parcels of land ended up handed out for absolutely free. The Cook County Land Financial institution Authority programs to manual new proprietors in developing the land.