Covenant News
Inclusionary Housing Fact Sheet
CHICAGO, IL (February 25, 2005) - Following is a fact sheet on inclusionary housing.WHAT IS INCLUSIONARY HOUSING?
Inclusionary Housing, also called Inclusionary Zoning or Housing Set-Asides, is a movement around the country to require the development of affordable housing as a part of new up-scale residential development. This policy has been successful for over twenty years in Montgomery County, Maryland, which includes suburban Washington. It has recently been implemented in Boston, Denver, San Diego and Portland. In most cases it requires developers to set aside a percentage of units (usually between 10 percent – 25 percent) in exchange for density bonuses, zoning variances, and other considerations.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY IN CHICAGO?
Chicago has undergone a housing boom over the past decade. At the same time, we are the only major city to both gain population and experience a net loss of rental units. While the redevelopment has been generally positive for the city, housing in Chicago has become increasingly unaffordable. Whole neighborhoods, such as Wicker Park, West Town and the Near Westside, are seeing their long time residents forced out by the loss of affordable ownership and rental housing. Current programs do not keep pace with the need.
WHAT HAS CHICAGO'S MAYOR PROPOSED?
Chicago's Mayor Daley has proposed a voluntary program of density bonus that would apply only to developments in the downtown area. The Chicago Department of Housing already requires a 20 percent set aside for developments using Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
WHAT IS THE PRECKWINKLE ORDINANCE?
Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, with the support of 21 other aldermen, has introduced an ordinance that would require a 15 percent set aside as a requirement for all residential development in the city of more than 10 units. So far, the City Council has not held hearings on the ordinance.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
If enough aldermen get behind the ordinance, the mayor may be pressured to negotiate a compromise on the issue. Ald. Preckwinkle has publicly stated she is willing to modify the ordinance if the mayor will accept the concept of inclusionary housing. We need to contact both our local alderman and the mayor to show that there is strong public support for Inclusionary Housing and for the Preckwinkle ordinance.
(Prepared by Protestants for the Common Good)
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