DuPage County ad hoc committee seeks state law to unlock housing programs, reviews land-trust RFQ and projects

DuPage County's ad hoc committee for housing solutions on Feb. 3 reviewed recent zoning changes, affordable-housing projects and a proposed state statute that would let the county implement a community land trust and expand who is eligible for county-run housing programs.

Chair Tornatore told the committee the bill, filed by Representative Marty Duder and now in the rules committee, would "allow us to increase the median income to up to a 150%" of area median income and "allow us to establish a community land trust," enabling the county to acquire and manage property for affordable housing while contracting day-to-day management to an external administrator. Paul Bos and other staff said the county cannot practically spend the $5 million originally allocated, or an additional $5 million set aside for first-time homebuyers, without the change in state law.

Staff reported multiple recent local actions intended to add housing supply, including ordinance changes that recognize historic lots of record (pre-1957) to streamline permitting, permit conversion of certain single-family arterial properties to two units without entitlement, and allow some accessory dwelling units and conversion of detached pre-2025 outbuildings into dwelling units. Paul Bos said the county also now allows certain septic-and-well developments in denser R3 and R4 zoning districts where newer septic technologies reduce land requirements.

Mary, county staff overseeing HUD-funded programs, summarized completed and upcoming projects. She said Alden Warrenville (a 2022 project) is a fully occupied, 71-unit senior rental building; Alden Addison is fully occupied with 61 units; Seguin Services purchased and rehabilitated a property to house five adults with disabilities for just under $600,000; and a 42-unit Full Circle Communities family project is scheduled to close March 10 with a roughly 16-month construction horizon.

Staff said an RFQ for a community land trust administrator was on the street and bids were due imminently; staff expect to review proposals next week and return to the committee with a recommended partner. Paul Bos emphasized the county would retain control of land and of program policy, while a CLT operator would manage day-to-day vetting and long-term stewardship. Mary added that while federal CDBG/home funds remain restricted (typically to households at or below 60% AMI), county programs under the proposed law could be designed to serve households at different income tiers up to the 150% cap and could be layered with federal funding when appropriate.

A member asked about timing; staff said the bill was introduced in January and that substantive committee work in the General Assembly typically accelerates after the governor's budget address on Feb. 18, with committee deadlines in March and final action possible by Memorial Day weekend. Chair Tornatore said the committee will likely meet quarterly while the legislation is pending and promised staff updates as the bill moves through Springfield.

Procedural items included a motion to permit members to participate by video conference for illness or employment (approved by voice) and approval of the March 12 minutes. The committee adjourned by motion.

The next procedural step is staff review of CLT proposals and a future committee report back; staff also noted they will meet with the bill sponsor and legislative staff to press for the statutory change.