MPC is working with a number of organizations on "Housing Endorsement Criteria," an innovative approach to build community support to expand housing options in the region.
A variety of recent housing studies document that the median home price in most job growth corridors places home-ownership out of reach for many working families. Furthermore, during the 1990s, the population of the six county Chicago region expanded by 500,000, while the number of available apartments shrunk by 52,000. Private sector interest in housing investment is becoming stronger. For our region to remain competitive, we must expand the supply of housing options to meet growing demands. By securing broad-based support for these Housing Endorsement Criteria, municipal leaders, neighbors, employers and community-based organizations can more effectively attract, identify, and promote proposals for quality developments.
To promote housing and mixed-use developments that meet community needs while also addressing broader regional sensible growth goals, new housing should meet most of the principles and criteria below.
Guiding Principles
Promote Economic Development and Sustainability
Housing, when appropriately located, encourages the expansion of existing and the location of new businesses and industries within the region. The mismatch between where the jobs are and where workers can afford to live has significant costs. Increasingly, employers recognize that local housing for all levels of their workforce promotes stability and productivity for the workers as well as the individual company.
Encourage an Array of Quality Housing Options throughout the Region
Developments with units at price points accessible to a wide range of income levels are needed to provide the local workforce and residents with a housing supply that is critically needed and currently lacking. By the year 2020, northeastern Illinois is expected to increase by 1.5 million people (25 percent). The housing market must be expanded at all price points to accommodate this dramatic growth.
Support Innovative Community Development and Design
Quality residential and mixed-use developments maintain, enhance and create livable streets, neighborhoods and public spaces oriented to the pedestrian. A variety of housing types provides a healthy mix of residents from different age groups, racial and cultural backgrounds, income levels and household types. New developments foster a sense of community while promoting residents' choice of housing, privacy and convenient access to nearby amenities.
Provide for Mixed Uses Within a Neighborhood
In order to enhance community livability and decrease automobile dependence, a mix of land uses within a neighborhood combine residential with retail, restaurants, schools and other amenities in close proximity. The location of schools, entertainment districts, parks, businesses and recreational facilities will be consciously integrated with new and existing residential developments to encourage ease of pedestrian access.
Minimize Cost of Municipal Services
Clustering housing near existing infrastructure minimizes the per capita costs of municipal services by allowing for more efficiency and economies of scale.
Promote the Use of Public Transit
Housing, together with commercial space and public amenities, should be planned for and built first, within walking distance of existing or planned transit service in order to strengthen transit ridership and decrease traffic congestion.
Support Sensible Growth
There are ample opportunities within existing service areas of our older cities and suburbs to provide for a portion of projected housing needs over the next 20 years. Infill development and redevelopment within existing municipal areas and conservation developments are of tremendous value. Adhering to development policies that encourage compact, mixed-use development will promote an array of housing types and expand individual choice. This will advance other regional and community needs, such as protection of open space and growth of the local tax base.
Specific Criteria
Location
Infill development and redevelopment within existing cities and towns, as well as new conservation developments, will receive preference. In order to maximize compatibility with public transit and minimize auto use, housing within one mile of major transit service, a job hub or town center provides a future market for transit. The project may be within two miles of a rail transit station if provisions are made to provide ongoing shuttle service for future residents. Major transit service is defined as a bus or rail stop with peak period wait times of no more than 30 minutes. Major transit service also includes funded but not yet built fixed rail stations.
Land Use
New developments that aim to cluster housing in an efficient manner in harmony with the surrounding community and preserve natural resources and open space will be given priority attention. Higher densities and mixed uses are particularly appropriate near Metra and CTA stations to reduce the growth of traffic congestion on local and regional roads.
Attainability
Mixed income housing developments, which include units accessible to low and moderate-income working families along with market rate units in the same complex, will be given preference. Developments which help balance affordability levels within communities while assuring consistent quality and design will also receive strong support.
Design
New developments that stress quality design and construction to help ensure long-term contribution to the improvement of the neighborhood will be given preference. The proposed buildings will fit their setting, complementing and enhancing the existing neighborhood; promote a sense of community; and be pedestrian friendly. Proposals will address transit use and access and, where appropriate, the potential for mixed use.
Management
The management and maintenance of developments is as critical to meeting the goals of enhancing communities as design and construction. Therefore, the capacity of the development team to successfully address long-term needs as evidenced by its track record in selling, leasing, and managing development properties, and its history with neighborhood and/or tenant relations will be also considered.