‘Clybourne Park’ Sets Stage for Housing Equity Discussions

Clybourne Park, a play exploring race, real estate, and community tensions, can set the stage for discussion on the lasting impacts of housing discrimination, gentrification, and the fight for affordability.

1 minute read

April 18, 2025, 5:00 AM PDT

By Shelterforce


Aerial view of narrow two-story Chicago townhomes.

trongnguyen / Adobe Stock

Clybourne Park, a Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play, recently staged at the Arvada Center in Colorado, uses satire and sharp dialogue to explore systemic racism, gentrification, and community identity — then and now. Set in a fictional South Chicago neighborhood, the play unfolds in two acts: the first in 1959 as a white couple sells their home to a Black family, and the second in 2009, with a white couple seeking to gentrify the same house in a now-majority-Black neighborhood.

The production, directed by Kenny Moten, highlights how deeply racism, classism, ableism, and exclusion are embedded in American society. Moten notes how these issues remain relevant today, challenging audiences to examine their role in division and disconnection.

The March 23 performance was followed by a community panel on housing issues, featuring experts from local affordable housing organizations and advocacy groups. They discussed the real-life housing crisis in Arvada — a suburb grappling with a $612,500 median home price — and the urgent need for collaboration to increase affordable housing access. Panelists emphasized how the arts can drive awareness and spark critical conversations around equity, displacement, and community futures.

Ultimately, Clybourne Park serves as both a mirror and a catalyst, encouraging audiences to reckon with the past and commit to building a more inclusive, just housing future. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 in Shelterforce Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City