BPI is engaged in a major effort to create and preserve affordable housing in DuPage County. DuPage is expected to experience dramatic population growth and exponential job growth in the years ahead, but offers only a limited supply of affordable housing.
Housing costs in DuPage County are among the highest in Illinois. In 2007, DuPage County had the highest median sales price for a single-family home of any county statewide. Developable land is growing scarce, and construction costs are rising. At the same time, DuPage’s economy, like that the rest of the country, has shifted. Low-wage service sector jobs now drive much of the local economy; such jobs have grown at more than three times the rate of higher paying manufacturing jobs since 1970. DuPage County has seen the highest growth in low-wage service sector jobs of any county in the region – and these workers are struggling by the thousands to find affordable housing near their jobs. Between 1990 and 2000, over 130,000 new jobs were created in DuPage, but only about 5,500 new rental units were built during the same time. And home values have skyrocketed across the county. While the median income in DuPage increased by about 8.5% between 2000 and 2006, median single-family home values grew 58% during the same time.
Click here for more information on the affordable housing shortage in DuPage County.
BPI has been working closely with the DuPage Housing Action Coalition (DHAC) to address these issues. DHAC is a broad-based grassroots network advocating for affordable and fair housing in DuPage County.
In March 2006, with BPI assistance, the DuPage Homeownership Center and DHAC co-hosted a major symposium: Homeownership: Benchmark for a Vital Community. The Symposium focused on addressing the barriers that prevent the creation or preservation of affordable homeownership opportunities in DuPage. It brought together diverse sectors of the community—elected officials, municipal and county staff, builders and developers, advocates, financial institutions, and other important stakeholders. Featured speakers included former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, Benedictine University President William Carroll, and many others. Four working groups were formed as a result of the symposium. Each working group developed a plan for local and county-wide action.
Demonstrating the sustained level of involvement by diverse stakeholders over many months, over 150 people gathered at the College of DuPage in November 2006 for a follow-up symposium: Homeownership: Benchmark for a Vital Community. New working groups were formed and are meeting regularly to carry out recommendations made by the first symposium. Current working groups include:
- Community Outreach
- Government Advocacy
- Technical Assistance Bank
- DuPage County Overlay District
- AIA Design Charrettes
BPI also provides ongoing research and technical assistance to community groups in DuPage County such as DuPage United, a grassroots collective of faith-based and community groups, and the Wheaton League of Women Voters. In collaboration with DuPage United and the Wheaton League, BPI has made numerous presentations to city councils and community groups in DuPage communities including Downers Grove, Naperville, and Wheaton.
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