Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Champaign council directs staff to seek consultant for housing needs analysis and strategy
Summary
Council authorized staff to prepare a request for qualifications for a consultant to conduct a housing needs analysis and strategy expected to take 12–15 months. Staff cited sharp rent increases, low single-family permitting and rising homelessness as drivers of the study.
City staff presented a proposal Tuesday for a comprehensive housing needs analysis and strategy and council directed staff to prepare a request for qualifications for consultant services. Neighborhood Services Director Rob Kowalski and Community Development Specialist Lauren Weber told the council the study will analyze the city’s housing stock, resident demographics and demand; include community engagement, developer interviews and roundtables; and produce a prioritized strategy for policy and program actions.
Why it matters: Staff said the study will give Champaign-specific data and recommended strategies to address gaps in supply and affordability that staff and council members described as limiting economic growth and making housing less attainable for residents.
Kowalski opened the presentation by framing the national supply shortage and by asking what the local shortfall is: “What is Champaign short of? How many units? What kinds? Who can…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
