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In an executive
order
signed on Sept. 16, Gov. Rod Blagojevich committed the state
to developing and implementing its first-ever housing policy. Drawing on key
recommendations from his transition team for housing issues, Blagojevich noted
the critical role affordable housing plays in stabilizing communities and
nourishing the economy.
The
executive order creates a housing task force charged with forwarding the state's
new policy, prioritizing the needs of historically underserved constituencies:
lower income seniors, workers who cannot afford to live near their jobs, people
struggling with homelessness, individuals with disabilities, and households
living in "at-risk" affordable housing.
MPC’s
housing director, Robin Snyderman, and three MPC board members,
King
Harris of Chicago Metropolis 2020; Juanita Irizarry of Latinos United; and Dr.
Howard Stanback of Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities
,
are
among the 18 citizens appointed to serve on the task force, which will be
chaired by Kelly King Dibble, the new director of the Illinois Housing
Development Authority.
The
governor’s executive order further requires all state agencies currently
investing in housing (there are many, including the Illinois Housing Development
Authority, Department of Human Services and Department on Aging) to link
resources and strategies. This proactive approach enables the State to seek and
fund proposals more efficiently, and directly addresses the State's need to
leverage resources from the private sector and federal sources. Additionally,
the task force will explore incentives to municipalities to address the housing
needs of people who live and work in their jurisdictions.
“The governor's leadership on housing solutions is strong
backing for an issue too long a policy orphan,” said Snyderman. “It
significantly raises the bar for all the housing work MPC has been pursuing, and
incorporates key elements of the recommendations made by the transition team’s
housing committee.” The executive order includes such MPC priorities as creating
incentives for businesses and municipal leaders to invest in housing solutions
(such as employer-assisted
housing
), and introducing tools to promote regional
coordination and best practices around affordable, public and mixed-income
housing.
Founded
in 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest
through the promotion and implementation of sensible planning and development
policies necessary for a world-class Chicago region. MPC conducts policy
analysis, outreach, and advocacy in partnership with public officials and
community leaders to improve equity of opportunity and quality of life
throughout metropolitan Chicago.
For
more information on MPC’s housing work, please visit www.metroplanning.org or
contact Robin Snyderman at 312.863.6007 or
rsnyderman@metroplanning.org.