Homes for All Illinoisans

Introduction

The housing crisis in Illinois is not a new phenomenon, nor is it unique to our state. Across the country, millions of families struggle to find and keep safe, stable, and affordable homes, while wealth inequality and racial disparities in housing continue to widen (Desmond, 2016). However, the specific contours and challenges of Illinois' housing landscape deserve close attention and targeted action.

Illinois is a state of stark contrasts and deep inequities when it comes to housing. On one hand, we have vibrant urban centers like Chicago with booming real estate markets and luxury developments. On the other, we have disinvested neighborhoods and rural communities grappling with aging housing stock, population loss, and limited economic opportunities. This dichotomy reflects broader patterns of uneven development and segregation that have long characterized our state (Rothstein, 2017).

The numbers paint a sobering picture:

· Over 1.6 million Illinois households (32% of the state total) are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing (Aurand et al., 2021).

· There is a shortage of more than 268,000 affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters in Illinois (Aurand et al., 2021).

· The homeownership rate for Black households in Illinois (39%) is less than half that of white households (74%) (Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2021).

· Over 10,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in Illinois (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2021).

· In rural areas, nearly 60% of homes were built before 1970, with many lacking basic amenities and needing significant repairs (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2021).

Behind these statistics are real human stories - families doubling up in cramped apartments, seniors choosing between rent and medication, children facing frequent moves and school changes, and countless individuals unable to put down roots or build wealth through homeownership.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these long-standing housing challenges, while also exposing their deep connections to public health, economic security, and racial justice. As eviction moratoriums expire and emergency rental assistance funds are depleted, many Illinois families face an uncertain housing future (Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2021).

Yet amidst these challenges, there are also reasons for hope. Across Illinois, innovative housing solutions are taking root:

· Community land trusts in Chicago and Champaign-Urbana are creating permanently affordable homeownership opportunities (Tighe & Mueller, 2013).

· Tenant unions in Urbana-Champaign and other cities are organizing for stronger renter protections (Katz & Turner, 2013).

· Supportive housing providers are demonstrating the power of combining affordable homes with wraparound services for vulnerable populations (Popkin et al., 2004).

· Rural housing rehabilitation programs are breathing new life into aging homes and revitalizing small towns (Tighe & Mueller, 2013).

· Inclusionary zoning policies in places like Highland Park and Chicago are leveraging private development to create mixed-income communities (Schwartz, 2021).

These efforts, and many others highlighted throughout this book, show that positive change is possible when communities come together to demand and create housing justice.

This book aims to provide a comprehensive blueprint for advancing affordable and equitable housing in Illinois. It is grounded in the belief that safe, stable, and affordable housing is a fundamental human right, not a privilege reserved for the few (Bratt et al., 2006). It recognizes that our current housing system is the product of deliberate policy choices and power structures that can - and must - be transformed (Rothstein, 2017).

Each chapter explores a different facet of Illinois' housing landscape:

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the current state of affordable housing in Illinois, grounding readers in key data and trends.

· Chapter 2 delves into the historical and policy context that has shaped Illinois' housing challenges, from redlining and urban renewal to more recent shifts in federal housing policy (Rothstein, 2017).

· Chapter 3 examines the diverse regional housing markets across Illinois, from the high-cost Chicago metro area to struggling rural communities (Schwartz, 2021).

· Chapters 4 and 5 focus on rental housing and homeownership, respectively, exploring barriers to affordability and access as well as promising solutions (Aurand et al., 2021; Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2021).

· Chapter 6 looks at the intersection of housing and community development, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive, place-based approaches (Katz & Turner, 2013).

· Chapter 7 explores the critical connections between housing, health, and social services, highlighting innovative models for integrated support (Popkin et al., 2004).

· Chapter 8 tackles fair housing and tenant rights, examining ongoing discrimination and strategies for promoting housing justice (Tighe & Mueller, 2013).

· Chapter 9 outlines key policy recommendations and advocacy strategies for advancing affordable housing at the state and local levels (Schwartz, 2021).

· Chapter 10 explores innovative design and construction approaches for creating more affordable and sustainable housing (Schwartz, 2021).

· Chapter 11 dives deep into financing mechanisms and incentives for affordable housing development, a critical piece of the puzzle (Novogradac, 2020).

· Finally, Chapter 12 looks to the future, envisioning what a more equitable and inclusive housing landscape in Illinois could look like (Vale & Freemark, 2012).

Throughout the book, we center the voices and experiences of those most impacted by housing insecurity - low-income renters, communities of color, people with disabilities, seniors, and others who have been marginalized by our current housing system. Their stories and insights are essential to understanding both the human toll of our housing crisis and the grassroots solutions emerging to address it.

We also draw on a wide range of expert perspectives, from housing developers and policymakers to community organizers and academic researchers. By bringing together diverse viewpoints and areas of expertise, we aim to provide a holistic understanding of Illinois' housing challenges and opportunities.

This book is intended for a broad audience:

· Policymakers and elected officials seeking comprehensive data and policy recommendations to inform their work

· Housing practitioners and developers looking for innovative models and best practices

· Community organizers and advocates working to build power for housing justice

· Students and researchers studying housing and urban policy

· Concerned citizens wanting to better understand and engage with housing issues in their communities

Our hope is that readers will come away with both a deeper understanding of the complexities of Illinois' housing landscape and a sense of hope and possibility for creating change. While the challenges are daunting, the seeds of a more just and equitable housing future are already being planted across our state.

This book is not meant to be the final word on affordable housing in Illinois, but rather a starting point for deeper dialogue, collaboration, and action. We invite readers to engage critically with the ideas presented here, to share their own experiences and insights, and to join in the collective work of building a state where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

The housing crisis in Illinois is not inevitable. It is the result of specific policy choices, market forces, and power dynamics that can be changed (Rothstein, 2017). By working together across sectors and communities, centering those most impacted by housing injustice, and pushing for bold systemic change, we can create a housing landscape that reflects our highest values of equity, inclusion, and shared prosperity (Bratt et al., 2006).

The time for transformative action on housing is now. Let this book serve as a call to action and a roadmap for the critical work ahead. The future of housing justice in Illinois is ours to shape. Let's get to work.