LWVUS POSITION IN BRIEF |
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This year, the LWV- Wilmette will:
- Monitor Wilmette’s 2020 comprehensive plan process; advocating for robust affordable housing component
- Strengthen potential alliances with Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, CPAH and others
- Continue monitoring progress at Cleland Place and Optima/CPAH
- Encourage re-establishing and utilization of a fully staffed Housing Commission
News and Latest Developments
November 17, 2020
A ceremony was held socially distanced and by Facebook Live to announce the ground breaking of the affordable housing development, Cleland Place, at 1925 Wilmette Ave, Cleland Place will have 16 affordable rental units for individuals who qualify for affordable housing. Construction updates and pre-rental information will be posted when available.
October 28, 2020
The final ordinance on Boards & Commissions was presented and adopted by the Village Board on October 28, 2020 with an appropriately chartered Housing Commission. The enactment of this ordinance is a big step in advancing the LWV-W further it objectives of ensuring Wilmette is a diverse, inclusive and accessible community. Housing Commissioners are now being selected. To learn more about the application process click here.
Also on October 28, the Village Board approved the final Optima PUD for construction at 1210 Central Ave. Construction is to begin in Q1 2021 with completed construction and first rental occupancy targeted for Q1 2023. Optima will contribute $1.6 million to Community Partners for Affordable Housing.
A ceremony was held socially distanced and by Facebook Live to announce the ground breaking of the affordable housing development, Cleland Place, at 1925 Wilmette Ave, Cleland Place will have 16 affordable rental units for individuals who qualify for affordable housing. Construction updates and pre-rental information will be posted when available.
October 28, 2020
The final ordinance on Boards & Commissions was presented and adopted by the Village Board on October 28, 2020 with an appropriately chartered Housing Commission. The enactment of this ordinance is a big step in advancing the LWV-W further it objectives of ensuring Wilmette is a diverse, inclusive and accessible community. Housing Commissioners are now being selected. To learn more about the application process click here.
Also on October 28, the Village Board approved the final Optima PUD for construction at 1210 Central Ave. Construction is to begin in Q1 2021 with completed construction and first rental occupancy targeted for Q1 2023. Optima will contribute $1.6 million to Community Partners for Affordable Housing.
July 14, 2020: The Wilmette Village Board of Trustees, will receive a report on the status of affordable housing in Wilmette, reviewing the history from 1976 to present.
June 25, 2020: LWV-Wilmette sent this email correspondence to the Village Administration Committee following the Village Board discussion of the “Boards & Commissions Review” at the June 23, 2020 meeting. LWV-W believes there needs to be a fully staffed and appropriately chartered commission that oversees the issue of affordable housing and the related issue of ensuring that Wilmette is a diverse and accessible community.
June 23, 2020: Housing Opportunity Development Corporation received final PUD approval for the development of the property at Cleland Place: 1925 Wilmette Avenue. Construction will begin in Fall 2020 on the 16-unit affordable housing development in the former American Legion building. HODC has secured funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority and is currently working with the Village of Wilmette on finalizing building permits. Construction is projected to be completed in June 2021.
June 19, 2020: LWV-Wilmette advocated for the Village Board to meet its commitment to the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) request for updated Affordable Housing Plans in advance of the June 28, 2020 deadline per the Illinois Affordable Housing Planning & Appeals Act. We asked that they affirm Wilmette’s intention for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan to include a robust affordable housing section. President Bielinski responded with the reminder that the Village Board will receive a report on the history of affordable housing in Wilmette at the July 14, 2020 meeting.
June 5, 2020: LWV-Wilmette sent this email correspondence to the Village Board of Trustees in support of reinstating the Village of Wilmette Housing Commission.
April 28, 2020: The Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance granting special use for Optima planned unit development at 1210 Central Avenue. The approved ordinance can be viewed here As part of the PUD approval, Optima will make a $1.6M contribution to the Village of Wilmette upon issuance of building permits for the project. The contribution will be used to support 14 units of permanently affordable housing to be located throughout Wilmette. It is anticipated the Village of Wilmette will partner with Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) to leverage the Optima grant with additional funding through the Illinois State Donations Tax Credit, rental subsidies from Cook County and private grants. As they have done in other area communities including Lake Forest and Highland Park, CPAH proposes working with the Village to establish a Wilmette Land Trust and acquiring/rehabbing both rental and for-sale units across Wilmette. Earlier in the year, the LWV-W spoke supporting the significant affordable housing component of this plan with this statement.
June 25, 2020: LWV-Wilmette sent this email correspondence to the Village Administration Committee following the Village Board discussion of the “Boards & Commissions Review” at the June 23, 2020 meeting. LWV-W believes there needs to be a fully staffed and appropriately chartered commission that oversees the issue of affordable housing and the related issue of ensuring that Wilmette is a diverse and accessible community.
June 23, 2020: Housing Opportunity Development Corporation received final PUD approval for the development of the property at Cleland Place: 1925 Wilmette Avenue. Construction will begin in Fall 2020 on the 16-unit affordable housing development in the former American Legion building. HODC has secured funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority and is currently working with the Village of Wilmette on finalizing building permits. Construction is projected to be completed in June 2021.
June 19, 2020: LWV-Wilmette advocated for the Village Board to meet its commitment to the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) request for updated Affordable Housing Plans in advance of the June 28, 2020 deadline per the Illinois Affordable Housing Planning & Appeals Act. We asked that they affirm Wilmette’s intention for the upcoming Comprehensive Plan to include a robust affordable housing section. President Bielinski responded with the reminder that the Village Board will receive a report on the history of affordable housing in Wilmette at the July 14, 2020 meeting.
June 5, 2020: LWV-Wilmette sent this email correspondence to the Village Board of Trustees in support of reinstating the Village of Wilmette Housing Commission.
April 28, 2020: The Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance granting special use for Optima planned unit development at 1210 Central Avenue. The approved ordinance can be viewed here As part of the PUD approval, Optima will make a $1.6M contribution to the Village of Wilmette upon issuance of building permits for the project. The contribution will be used to support 14 units of permanently affordable housing to be located throughout Wilmette. It is anticipated the Village of Wilmette will partner with Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) to leverage the Optima grant with additional funding through the Illinois State Donations Tax Credit, rental subsidies from Cook County and private grants. As they have done in other area communities including Lake Forest and Highland Park, CPAH proposes working with the Village to establish a Wilmette Land Trust and acquiring/rehabbing both rental and for-sale units across Wilmette. Earlier in the year, the LWV-W spoke supporting the significant affordable housing component of this plan with this statement.
Additional Resources
On October 2020, LWV-Wilmette presented information about affordable housing in Wilmette and the newly rechartered Housing and Human Relations Commissions. The presentation is an excellent resource for anyone hoping to learn more about affordable housing in our village.