[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6190865,"mediaKeyId","5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754","parentId",5038474,"title","Committee debates \"preserve and increase\" housing language; residents urge stronger, explicit affordability goals","audioSeconds",355,"startMs",365000,"endMs",9158,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754&start=365&end=9","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754/thumbnail_365000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6190865/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Committee-debates-preserve-and-increase-housing-language-residents-urge-stronger-explicit-affordability-goals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190865-09ae1895790122064cd3a69a09154969/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030921&Signature=Y2G0vMMYV-xPEIye2v6hzHov7ElZnavWVr6OprlEnM~1bHzG2VTSmAIoeeXT5YWyFmNQvLnDdhHiTeDfIHgBc6jRtKarza~TmCvOnDiiSn8ZbKJhu7sck9Jmj-K8YKv5yfj-M7l63ligs7AgeKemuS6bIReCTQ22Z8MEcJdZwkyiBt4ZSV7x8ezBaMqmNT6N6ESVhEn6miwTmRY3bFUl3NqsNFzm9Y0pfKvtB1b5E1A8e~weoKEAMxxklwEDmVRPurHjWhMsmaBaXRe3csGvUMn-SSmFr-1Ka3XUJz1Odutsa44szGl4cTDv78lNks2XbJ5qkzY4qKWg41ZXp6fdMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Evanston, IL","date","2025-06-20T19:23:31Z","article","Evanston — Public commenters and committee members spent substantial time Tuesday discussing the draft Envision Evanston 2045 comprehensive plan’s housing chapter, focusing on whether the plan’s wording—especially the phrase \"preserve and increase Evanston's diverse housing choices\"—gives clear direction to the city and the Land Use Commission.

Public comment: Several residents urged clearer, more actionable language on housing affordability and \"missing middle\" housing types.

Scott Roberts, a Third Ward resident, told the committee the current action language in the draft—\"preserve and increase Evanston's diverse housing choices\"—is too vague to guide zoning decisions. \"A comprehensive plan is meant to work alongside revision of the zoning code,\" Roberts said. \"The language was whittled down over time to 'preserve and increase Evanston's diverse housing choices.' That is a sentence that doesn't really tell us much, and it could be used to justify a wide range of decisions.\" He proposed more specific direction allowing duplexes, triplexes and small‑scale multiunit forms by right when they match neighborhood scale.

Mary Rosinski and Sue Lohlbach of Connections for the Homeless also urged stronger language on affordable housing. Lohlbach said Connections and Joining Forces participants provided written feedback asking that the plan explicitly prioritize increasing affordable housing for low and moderate incomes rather than relying on euphemisms about \"diversity of housing stock.\" \"That feedback came from a fairly large group of community members,\" Lohlbach said. \"The plan needs to state that it is the city's intent to increase the number of units that are within the means of lower income groups.\" She added that language should be explicit both about increasing new affordable units and preserving existing affordability.

Staff process and next steps: City staff explained that the version before the committee reflects the Land Use Commission's recommended amendments: the working draft has been revised through public hearings, stakeholder submissions and suggestions from boards and commissions. Staff said the council will discuss the plan on June 24 and July 1, and that zoning code changes were intentionally paused: if the council approves a final comprehensive plan it would then decide whether and how to reboot a separate zoning‑code amendment process.

Committee members raised several practical questions: what does \"preserve\" mean in practice; are there specific AMI bands the plan should prioritize; and should the plan explicitly endorse certain housing forms such as duplexes, townhouses, cottage clusters or small multiunit buildings. Members urged clearer statements about which populations the city aims to serve and asked staff and stakeholders to offer specific, implementable language—for example, allowing small multifamily structures that retain single‑house scale and comply with prevailing height, FAR and setback limits.

Committee direction: The chair asked members and stakeholders to submit line‑by‑line suggested language changes prior to the council's special meetings so the committee can forward considered recommendations. Staff committed to follow up on specific requests, including adding clearer data and policy justification where participants asked for it.

Ending: The committee did not adopt language changes at the meeting. The discussion will continue at upcoming council hearings; staff and committee members will gather more specific suggested language and data to bring forward to council.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Housing & Community Development Committee Meeting 6-17-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents and committee members urged clearer, implementable housing guidance in the Envision Evanston 2045 draft, calling for explicit goals to increase affordability and to allow neighborhood‑scale 'missing middle' housing where it fits local scale.","taxTitle","Evanston, Cook County, Illinois","taxId",2640,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190869,"City amends HOME‑ARP administrative allocation after HUD notifies of additional funds",175,6974000,7149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754&start=6974&end=7149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754/thumbnail_6974000.jpg","/articles/6190869/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/City-amends-HOMEARP-administrative-allocation-after-HUD-notifies-of-additional-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190869-64dd47102c0a2b047602379c19e1b1c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030921&Signature=AJmVERGoDuPdbNM7oLoc7YD0awdof3FskTgM54TQOhrHl1FT31f4-O5WPgdVxuVVOiEw0gH-zCzDQKeaB51vIVYZ5rtwhWHSED8-w9yI9byNBuarOpCsNgIJDkYSK-FPmXAyxiOwk3HMEgOrmUlYoORhZMLLLUKpzp~GptgflVOfDi8J~-QLpbkEzpZo5X2Wso1oQGgpi3Ne1sUo-lO~Ya1TE5wuS1ayEjtud1zBB2~X~oiVPuh9crIBSf7DZhaXDgkNExF4BFtu80rN2oXdghTvBMc7ZKZIat0YdVz5ZrjkebW1gnskqZkH5PSCoNwMGHGqCzAgGWhQaHlkqhz8lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evanston — The Housing and Community Development Committee voted Tuesday to amend the city’s HOME‑ARP allocation plan after HUD notified the city of a modest increase to its earlier award.

Details: City staff said the original HOME‑ARP allocation to Evanston in April 2021 totaled $1,298,584. HUD recently notified the city of an additional $1,490.90 resulting from a prior‑year allocation adjustment. Staff proposed increasing the administration and planning line from $148,584 to $150,074 to reflect the added funds while leaving the major program allocations unchanged: $1,000,000 toward non‑congregate shelter acquisition and development and $150,000 for tenant‑based rental assistance (TBRA). The amendment was framed as a technical update to obligate the full HOME‑ARP award.

Committee action: A motion to approve the amendment passed unanimously. Staff noted HOME‑ARP funds must be expended by the HUD deadlines in the HOME‑ARP program guidance and flagged that staff would continue to manage spending and reporting responsibilities.

Ending: The amendment will allow the city to use the full HOME‑ARP allocation and preserve budget alignment across the plan’s program categories.","HUD notified the city of an additional HOME‑ARP allocation; staff proposed and the committee approved a small increase to the administration and planning line so the municipality can obligate the full HOME‑ARP amount.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190874,"Inclusionary housing wait list tops 900 households; city staff note demand concentrated at lower AMI levels",1292,5722000,7014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754&start=5722&end=7014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754/thumbnail_5722000.jpg","/articles/6190874/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Inclusionary-housing-wait-list-tops-900-households-city-staff-note-demand-concentrated-at-lower-AMI-levels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190874-e81c796100072926eecdb42df0b08513/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030921&Signature=OdiP0QEC2whL70byZEDyCq0vc2O-enQWFUtBIb2qbrKMam9nNtyyosv4zQQonT-aKdylSI8on6gST0wGGj0vigg1nmfqGppBnFd32Ugu8aPJi0oyngRuyVOIHmIj-J~e9xvODxQ8h0LdLZgcKGaWkAjWzu2387Rl~5ZSB4BCXpIjEASj52iylXG0FglTRug3s1QnGs0BfX4l~yhqIQFAuk9526ChpEVmdrQ7mtYyqdGMoYLBUzzgheZsaIh9YtTM~pwswYd4XrWERF24PFI0Cmp9blJ4ALrwX3E-5mPAeqEDOk81MrB1eonv~o5l0YCYyF5ZsZmZbt8NEZcNphaQUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evanston — City staff presented an updated inclusionary housing ordinance (IHO) wait‑list report to the Housing and Community Development Committee on Tuesday, showing 904 households on the list as of May 2025 and strong occupancy rates among existing affordable units.

What the report shows: Anna Elizaraga said the wait list—managed by Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) on the city’s behalf—had been fully updated through May and contained 904 households. The majority of applicants are one‑ and two‑person households; a sizable share fall in the 31–50% area median income (AMI) bracket. Elizaraga said 64% of households on the list earn 50% or less of AMI.

On the supply side, staff reported a 98% occupancy rate for existing inclusionary units and an 88% lease‑renewal rate over the past year. Staff said 84 additional inclusionary units are expected to be occupied by the end of 2025, three new affordable units were expected later this year, and 37 units from approved developments are anticipated between 2026 and 2028.

Demographics: Voluntary survey responses on the wait list show 57.6% Black or African American households, 18% White, 15% Asian, 3% Hispanic and 6% other or mixed. Elizaraga noted that household-size demand understates the need for larger units because fewer large units exist to apply for.

Local preference and outreach: Local preference (Evanston residents or workers) accounts for about 38% of households on the list. Staff said CPAH conducted a comprehensive outreach campaign—email, mail and text—and removed households that did not respond. Available units are marketed through local partners, including libraries and schools.

Committee comments and next steps: Committee members noted the wait list underscores ongoing demand at lower AMI levels and commended CPAH’s active management. Members requested follow up with CPAH to explore whether publishing an anonymized, searchable status list or clearer public reporting could improve transparency and help applicants manage expectations. Staff said they would consult with CPAH and return with options for improved public reporting practices.

Ending: The committee voted to accept and place the report on file; staff said they will follow up with CPAH on options to increase transparency and to prepare for an anticipated influx of units in the coming years.","City staff reported 904 households on the inclusionary housing wait list in May 2025 with a majority in the 30–50% AMI range and a high occupancy and lease renewal rate among existing inclusionary units; staff said outreach removed nonresponsive households and CPAH manages wait list outreach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190879,"Metropolitan Tenants Organization reports fewer hotline calls year‑to‑date; committee considers continuing walk‑in pilot with adjustments",1789,2630000,4419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754&start=2630&end=4419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754/thumbnail_2630000.jpg","/articles/6190879/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Metropolitan-Tenants-Organization-reports-fewer-hotline-calls-yeartodate-committee-considers-continuing-walkin-pilot-with-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190879-c0c6b893d1d6dd6e0f194f82456d64db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030921&Signature=SRKuK1Mi75fy8L~n-LnhJSvTlomn5FvzKewUKZP5vb3Mu~HefLG34wwhn5QRLHgwPZV7IqOJGo17bwJowJ7pwxvILpr2rnYvlI1sT6-2qRXYcvxqnSCJMjyKrO49nNqLoMFRS4aRyPJatwX~8UVJTDCAxge0JuIZDMUSplZtLqbe54H4YjPZ6FKBaKIKrZUXugBPlf3hYtIagHc-pRIiktieGli-m2JtOQoWpOIk6BMO4agdTbToCDMq5sLL35xM2u66d2pa0iOAyfG6F4C6EbLkQdWHHsQdn77Zk0CSISBJqUwxFh-dW3qGWHIqajoEPS2auS5a0LYZw7yRQk37nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evanston — The committee received reports Tuesday from city staff and the Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) on landlord‑tenant service activity and a recent walk‑in hours pilot held at the Evanston Public Library.

What happened: Anna Elizaraga, housing and economic development analyst with the city’s Community Development division, presented comparative call data from MTO. She said hotline call volume from January through May 2024 totaled 280 calls; in the same period in 2025 MTO logged 182 calls—a 35% decrease. Elizaraga said call volume usually rises approaching typical summer lease‑turnover season.

Why it matters: MTO’s services—hotline, 311 intake and outreach—are the city’s front-line resource for tenants and landlords seeking information on leases, maintenance, evictions, lockouts and utilities. Committee members said access to timely assistance is especially important during lease transitions and for tenants facing safety or eviction risks.

Key findings from MTO’s 2024–2025 report presented to the committee:
- Top complaint categories in 2024 were lease questions (31%), maintenance (27%) and eviction/early termination (about 11% each). In 2025 (same months) leases and maintenance remained common but lockouts and utility complaints rose—MTO linked those increases to targeted in‑person outreach at certain buildings.
- Tenant‑initiated calls accounted for about 95% of contacts in 2025; landlord‑initiated calls about 5%.
- No mediation cases were recorded in the period; MTO led four virtual landlord and tenant trainings (English and Spanish) and reported 72 attendees at the first landlord session.

MTO staff attorney Phil Devon described the nature of common calls: \"Oftentimes, it's questions like, is this legal? Can it be included in my lease?\" He said utilities complaints typically involve systems that are not functioning as expected, such as insufficient heat.

Walk‑in hours pilot: The committee reviewed a short pilot in which MTO provided in‑person assistance at the Evanston Public Library on the first and third Monday of each month. That pilot attracted 22 unique attendees (seven were Evanston residents), and several attendees came from neighboring communities, including Chicago and Skokie.

Committee direction and next steps: Members discussed options to improve reach and effectiveness, including changing hours to accommodate working residents, rotating locations to reach different neighborhoods, creating appointment slots or a call‑in option during the walk‑in window, and improving automated outreach (email signatures, registration confirmation messages). Marion Johnson, city staff, said the additional walk‑in hours can continue under the current contract ceiling without an immediate amendment and can be administered without returning to the committee for approval. The committee asked staff and MTO to report back with:
- outreach and participation metrics by ward and, where allowed, by building or landlord to identify hotspots and recurring problems;
- an outcomes metric or short survey to measure case resolution and follow‑up; and
- options for appointment or call‑in models and expanded marketing to community partners.

Committee members asked MTO to explore aggregation by landlord and by ward to identify whether multiple complaints are concentrated among particular owners or properties; MTO indicated it will check data capture and return with possibilities for that reporting. The committee agreed to continue the pilot for an additional three months and requested monthly check‑ins and a mid‑pilot review of whether adjusted hours, locations, or appointment scheduling improves uptake.

Ending: No formal contract amendment was required to continue the pilot under the existing spending ceiling; staff will proceed administratively while monitoring participation and reporting back to the committee.","MTO reported a 35% drop in call volume in January–May 2025 versus 2024; committee discussed shifting walk‑in hours timing, prioritizing Evanston residents, adding appointment or call‑in options, and directed staff to continue the pilot administratively while refining outreach and metrics.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6190884,"Evanston Green Homes pilot reports early wins, highlights funding and enrollment challenges",1336,1337000,2673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754&start=1337&end=2673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5038474-cb7845b4a21f89b7a998b80a0d65c754/thumbnail_1337000.jpg","/articles/6190884/Evanston/Cook-County/Illinois/Evanston-Green-Homes-pilot-reports-early-wins-highlights-funding-and-enrollment-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6190884-c582b68174efd79ba695ad6af87644cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030921&Signature=YdBk-FAogLWW3AZW5cJ-0n5W0xQWtm1ldtE-Pde5hL9drU0t5ud6Zlf2xgcX25DgL6NQNYGebqMAwsfqZEHLenkmYEGHyAATAPxRcRE-HN9vywnEpoZPTr7YCE-hnNJ3ThtPpZqlbvjOZgDXu77Faeaw3FNcg5PBLWkkugwJGdWDYE3HxqhT3XqJxlMrfESUAXi7f3NEPSbdkV~H4xH2L2DmmvJgH8CGGxFVy~PN694cDRThMCdq72EXwoQwfDML~4X28b~1nSXU4tkLG5Or7qj7Sq8sPn-WmrTtC2wPnwkVsOddBhcLJaSpMJxt092SsllLl0nq5KGOr1A3pnPTow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Evanston — City sustainability staff and partner organizations updated the Housing and Community Development Committee Tuesday on the Evanston Green Homes pilot, a $1 million ARPA-funded program that upgrades home energy systems to improve efficiency, resilience and long-term housing affordability.

The pilot has completed construction at four properties and enrolled 30 housing units across 15 properties, city sustainability and partner staff told the committee. Construction for individual properties has ranged from two to seven weeks, and the project has prioritized electrification where possible, including full electrification at one property.

Why it matters: The pilot tests whether targeted energy upgrades—heat-pump water heaters, electrical-panel upgrades, insulation and weatherization—can lower household energy costs and support housing affordability. Presenters said the pilot also surfaced common deferred-maintenance needs that must be addressed before efficiency work, raising costs and limiting the scope of upgrades for some single-family homes.

\"Whenever possible, we're trying to do electrification,\" said Miriam Savitt, chief strategy and program officer at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a program partner. \"We have been able to do partial electrification in several properties and full electrification in one.\"

City sustainability manager Cara Pratt summarized partner roles: CNT is a program partner and administrator; Elevate is leading assessments, construction procurement and quality assurance; and the city provides oversight and outreach. Presenters said Elevate has focused recruitment in two target census tracts and that owner-occupied properties proceed faster through assessment and construction than renter-occupied buildings, where lease checks and three‑party agreements add time.

Program status and costs: So far, construction has completed on four projects and 10 more properties are in the pipeline; the pilot originally aimed for 14 properties. Presenters said most contractor firms on the roster are MWDB-certified or eligible, and the program is layering additional funding—when available—from local sources such as the Good Neighbors Fund to deepen investments. But the presenters said ARPA funding is limited and external grant opportunities have been disrupted: one recent grant source is paused because of litigation.

\"ARPA funding is running out,\" Savitt told the committee. \"We're trying to fundraise to support both the pilot and think about what can happen long term.\" City staff said they and partners have applied to several sources but acknowledged a constrained funding landscape.

Deferred maintenance and building type challenges: Presenters said single-family homes and two- to four-unit buildings frequently require mold mitigation, roofing, or other critical repairs before insulation or HVAC work can occur. Multifamily buildings commonly use boiler or baseboard heat, which is expensive to replace at pilot scale, limiting full electrification in those buildings.

\"We have seen a fair amount of deferred maintenance, particularly in single-family properties,\" Savitt said. \"Those are things that we are trying to add and mitigate as well as seeing the energy-efficiency upgrades.\"

Measuring outcomes: Elevate plans to compare energy bills a year after upgrades to measure actual energy- and cost-savings, the committee heard. Council members urged the partners to produce a short \"playbook\" and to gather post‑project data on bill and usage reductions to build a narrative for replication.

Public outreach and contractor capacity: Committee members and members of the public recommended more local outreach and partner events, and suggested the city coordinate with nonprofit groups hosting community forums. Presenters said recruitment included ward presentations, city newsletter posts and a program website; several council members suggested expanding hours and locations for outreach and building local contractor capacity to scale work.

Next steps: Staff said the pilot is on track to finish construction by the end of the year and will return to the committee with lessons learned and a final report, including energy-bill comparisons and recommendations for program expansion or successors.

Ending: Committee members voted to accept and place the Evanston Green Homes pilot update on file. The partners and staff said they will present a final report and recommendations after the pilot ends, with greater detail on costs and impacts.
","City staff and partners reported completed energy-efficiency upgrades at four properties, a 30-unit enrollment across 15 properties and construction timelines of two to seven weeks; presenters said ARPA funding limits and deferred maintenance present constraints to broader electrification and outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee debates "preserve and increase" housing language; residents urge stronger, explicit affordability goals

City amends HOME‑ARP administrative allocation after HUD notifies of additional funds

Inclusionary housing wait list tops 900 households; city staff note demand concentrated at lower AMI levels

Metropolitan Tenants Organization reports fewer hotline calls year‑to‑date; committee considers continuing walk‑in pilot with adjustments

Evanston Green Homes pilot reports early wins, highlights funding and enrollment challenges