Dave Chappelle Stood Against An Ohio Town's Low-End Housing Project

Opposition from several residents of Yellow Springs, Ohio, including comedian Dave Chappelle left a massive dent in a building plan and a lot of fans with mixed feelings. Chappelle gave a statement at the village council meeting, ridiculing the project, which was scrapped shortly after.

However, this wasn't the first time Chappelle upset fans, as only last year, the 48-year-old got in trouble for making jokes which were generally considered transphobic in "The Closer," his most recent comedy special on Netflix.

Not only did he speak against the building plan, but he also threatened to pull his investment in the area if the village council didn't cancel the plan. Keep reading to find out more.

In July 2021, Oberer Homes announced that they planned to transform Yellow Springs village by building 140 new houses on 53 acres. Per Dayton Daily News, the village council had a specific request for the housing plan to include a more affordable section. It would consist of low-end townhouses and duplexes, as homes in the area had become too expensive and too scarce.

Fans were impressed by this building plan, as it would have considered low-income earners and added more budget-friendly houses to their development plan as opposed to the usual single-family houses, which would relatively cost a lot of money.

Following Chappelle's speech, the village council conducted a vote which ended in a draw, with one abstaining vote. It eventually voted against the plan and officially scrapped the Oberer Home's affordable homes section. The developers decided to continue with the single-family house at high-income price ranges.  

Among the several things he said about the building plan, Chappelle specifically threatened to move his investment out of the village if the council went ahead with the affordable homes plan. These investments include his Yellow Springs situated businesses like his restaurant, company, and an upcoming comedy club. 

"I don't know why the village council would be afraid of litigation from a $24 million-a-year company while it kicks out a $65 million-a-year company," Chappelle said. "I cannot believe you would make me audition for you," he continued.

He directly attacked the village council and said, "You look like clowns. I am not bluffing. I will take it all off the table." His short statement received mixed responses from fans, although there was applause from the hall audience following it.

While Chappelle hadn't said a word about the town hall meeting to fans on the internet, others spoke on his behalf and supported his stance. Specifically, in an interview with TMZ, his rep insisted that there was nothing wrong with his actions, and the plan would never have worked. 

"Dave Chappelle didn't kill affordable housing," he noted, "Concerned residents and a responding Village Council' killed' a half-baked plan which never actually offered affordable housing," he continued. Though fans didn't think this was reason enough, Chappelle insisted he was "adamantly opposed to it" and was definitely not putting up with the plan in an interview with a local news outlet. 

"Obviously, I live behind the development or the proposed development, "I do have many business interests in town. I've invested millions of dollars in town," he said. "If you push this thing through, what I'm investing is no longer applicable," he continued, still threatening to pull out his interests.

Following the reportedly transphobic comments and jokes in "The Closer," his newest comedy, some Transgender Netflix employees and their allies held a protest in L.A. against Chappelle's show. Other members of the Trans community also joined in on the protest, along with Netflix staffers who left the company. 

In a statement to The Times and on Chappelle's behalf, his publicist Carla Sims noted that Chappelle was listening to them and would do better in the future "when everyone is more open" and accommodating. She said, "Dave stands by his Art. Both sides of the street are talking and Dave is listening. At some point, when everyone is open, I'm sure our communities will come together."