Those of you who follow our fast-evolving initiatives might wonder why we’re always looking ahead to the next challenge, rarely taking time to savor the latest victory. That’s easy. MPC’s regional agenda is fast-paced due to both our talented partners and a strong economy that presents an ideal window of opportunity for action.
A looming challenge that affects all of us is expanding housing options for the growing regional workforce. Between 1990 and 1998, the population of the six county region grew nearly 8%, or about four times as fast as the previous two decades combined. Jobs have been expanding at a similar pace of 7%, or more than 200,000 between 1990 and 1998. In Lake County alone, there were 45,7000 new jobs created during the last decade. Where are all these new workers going to live?
MPC’s vision is of a balanced region that provides housing, employment, transportation, and recreation options to all its residents. Achieving sensible growth requires a constant reassessment of the tools available to local communities.
Even as the public and private sectors have expanded transit shuttles, we know that if a worker is facing a 90-minute, one-way commute, they are unlikely to be a stable, long-term employee. For employers willing to make an investment in expanding housing choices for employees closer to the job site, MPC’s Employer-Assisted Housing model is a logical step that often pays for itself within a year in reduced recruitment and training costs.
But not everyone can afford homeownership. While Northeastern Illinois added 500,000 people during the 1990s, 52,000 apartments were lost. The Regional Rental Market Analysis findings keep MPC and our partners focused on expanding the housing supply. One of the most promising tools is draft Housing Endorsement Criteria (see Housing Update, page two). A similar checklist developed by the Silicon Valley Manufacturers Group has resulted in 71 of 72 endorsed developments being approved by local authorities. With employers, community leaders and elected officials in metropolitan Chicago pulling together around Housing Endorsement Criteria, what might we achieve?