Kane County Jobs Committee members spent substantial time discussing housing availability and workforce housing as a factor in attracting and retaining jobs.

John Guling and other staff briefed the committee on local housing conditions and programs. Guling noted the county is working with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) on a "housing-ready checklist" and expected a draft recommendations memo soon. He said the county plans to convene a public-private forum after the memo to discuss implementation.

Members cited a recent ribbon cutting for a development by the Association for Individual Development (AID) in Elgin and asked staff for more granular housing data for Kane County. Guling said AID opened a project with about 70 units at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 31 in Elgin for residents with developmental delays and individuals in recovery; he described the project as subsidized controlled housing rather than a federal voucher program.

The committee discussed mechanisms to encourage more workforce housing. Staff explained that Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) are often essential to finance affordable housing projects and that construction costs and slim developer margins make new projects challenging. Vacancy rates and demand also complicate the market: staff cited a Kane County apartment vacancy rate of about 1% and said new multifamily developments typically lease quickly.

Members emphasized that housing, workforce development and job attraction are interlinked. Member Ross asked why the Jobs Committee was spending time on housing; others replied that without available housing, employers will have trouble recruiting and retaining staff. The committee said it will continue to review CMAP's recommendations, coordinate with municipalities on housing issues, and consider convening another broader housing summit.

Less-critical details: staff said the county's last workforce-housing forum was in 2022 and that additional outreach will target both municipal elected officials and private-sector developers to broaden participation.