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% - 25%) 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% set aside for developments using Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

WHAT IS THE ALD. PRECKWINKLE ORDINANCE?

Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, with the support of twenty-one other aldermen, has introduced an ordinance that would require a 15% set aside as a requirement for all residential development in the city over 10 units. So far the City Council has not held hearings on the ordinance due to opposition from the Mayor’s Office.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

If enough aldermen get behind the ordinance, the Mayor will 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.

WHO SUPPORTS THE ALDERMEN’S ORDINANCE?

A broad base of community organizations and faith-based groups have lead the movement over the past year, including: Protestants for the Common Good, Interfaith Open Communities-Hyde Park chapter, the Balanced Development Coalition, the Chicago Rehab Network, Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities – just to name a few.