#CNDA29 

Palenques were autonomous zones in Latin America where Black and Indigenous populations would work together and seek liberation. Nonprofit Palenque LSNA embodied this spirit of collective action of its namesake when it launched the “Here to Stay” Quality of Life Plan in
2018.
The Plan’s central vision is to push back against skyrocketing rent prices and gentrification to
ensure that Latinx residents who have long lived in these neighborhoods can stay in the area. Created from a series of community meetings, the Plan’s approach is comprehensive-realizing that issues like housing, economic development, immigration, education and
wellness/recreation are interconnected and all need support.
Five years into implementation, the Plan has shown that it was more than just a series of ideas,
but a real catalyst for neighborhood change. As of now, priorities and partnerships formed from the Plan have brought approximately $45.9 million into the community, with another estimated
$148.5 million committed. In one key area-housing-the plan called for the creation of the Here to Stay Community Land Trust where land is owned by the community and kept affordable for homeowners. The trust welcomed its first residents in 2023, and two more lots are currently being rehabbed. The Plan led to the building of more affordable apartments, including the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons building-another of this year’s CNDA winners.
The Plan also tackled quality of life issues to keep and support residents in the area. Successes included opening a mental healthcare center and expanding existing Community Learning Centers to train residents for better-paying work.
The “Here to Stay” Plan has also centered Latinx culture and traditions. The tamale festival,
public art installations and murals from local Latinx artists, and a soon-to-open pedestrian plaza called La Placita all contribute to the vibrancy, vitality and resilience of Logan Square and its residents, who-thanks to the Plan-are here to stay.