State law and policy establish many of the ground rules that guide the creation and preservation of affordable housing. BPI has been a leader in the development of such laws and policies, building support, advocating and helping to implement new programs.
For example, BPI led the effort that resulted in passage of a landmark law, The Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act, which requires that all communities in Illinois have at least 10% affordable housing or develop and implement plans to meet that goal. The law also gives local communities and developers new tools to create affordable housing, such as inclusionary housing, affordable housing trust funds and community land trusts.
Additionally, BPI, together with several partner organizations, is leading the charge to increase state funding for affordable housing by $100 million a year.
Understanding that collaboration among diverse constituencies is essential to implement new and innovative affordable housing programs at state and regional levels, BPI helped to create the Illinois Housing Roundtable. The Roundtable is a group of more than 200 individuals and organizations, including housing advocacy groups and social service providers, around the state. Participants come together to develop a unified agenda and work together to pass laws that will produce and preserve more affordable housing across the state. The Roundtable and similar coalitions and collaborations have been at the heart of BPI's legislative victories.
More information on State Policy Initiatives:
