On July 13, 2026, the Village of Wilmette Housing Commission held the third meeting in its ‘Conversations with the Commission’ series to solicit comments and questions from the public relating to the development of a Housing Plan as part of the Village’s Comprehensive Plan.
This meeting focused on five strategies for improving the availability of decent, safe, and reasonably affordable housing for the elderly and low- and moderate-income persons, and for the development of a variety of housing types.
The five strategies being considered by the Commission are:
More Information about the development of this plan can be found on the Village of Wilmette website.
Co-president Maureen Dulen spoke on behalf of The League of Women Voters-Wilmette at the July 13 meeting. She reminded the Commission and those attending that the Village has a legal obligation under Illinois state law to establish and implement an Affordable Housing Plan because the housing stock of the Village contains less than 10% affordable housing.
The League also submitted a written comment, which you can find below.
League of Women Voters - Wilmette, Statement to the Wilmette Housing Commission
July 11, 2026
The League of Women Voters-Wilmette has long advocated for the development of more affordable housing and providing housing that meets the needs of a variety of households. To that end, the League of Women Voters-Wilmette supports policies that assist in ensuring an adequate supply of decent housing to Wilmette residents and those who wish to move to our community, which is attainable and meets the standards of affordability. We appreciate the efforts made by the Housing Commission to assist the Village in developing its overall Housing Plan and its Affordable Housing Plan, which is required by state law.
The League supports the recent actions of the Housing Commission to engage in an expansive and data-driven process of developing strategies to support the community’s housing needs and goals, and working with organizations with expertise in this area, including the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, with support from BRicK Partners. We also commend the Housing Commission for engaging in a deliberative process that includes presenting information to the Wilmette community and providing multiple opportunities for community response, including a survey, focus group discussions, and its series of open, publicized meetings.
The Commission’s role in educating the public about housing issues is of great importance because of their complexity. It is also important in order to respond to commonly held myths about affordable housing. We encourage the Housing Commission and the Village to summarize the proposed strategies and underlying factual support in formats that are easy to absorb and comprehend.
We also recognize that the Wilmette community faces challenges in ensuring affordable and attainable housing due to an aging population, the rising cost of housing, limited facilities for people with disabilities, and limited undeveloped real estate. The League also recognizes the Wilmette community's support in addressing these challenges, as seen in the response to the Housing Commission’s efforts during the past year, including our organization's response.
Therefore, we encourage and support the Housing Commission’s suggested strategies that:
This meeting focused on five strategies for improving the availability of decent, safe, and reasonably affordable housing for the elderly and low- and moderate-income persons, and for the development of a variety of housing types.
The five strategies being considered by the Commission are:
- Help Preserve Wilmette’s Existing Stock of Affordable Housing Options
- Allow More Housing in Wilmette’s Business Districts and Village Center
- Craft a Wilmette-Specific Approach to Middle Housing and Accessory Dwelling Units
- Encourage More Transit-Oriented and Pedestrian-Friendly Development for Seniors, Adults with Special Needs, Local Workers and Young Families
- Utilize the Housing Commission to Guide the Implementation of the Housing Plan strategies
More Information about the development of this plan can be found on the Village of Wilmette website.
Co-president Maureen Dulen spoke on behalf of The League of Women Voters-Wilmette at the July 13 meeting. She reminded the Commission and those attending that the Village has a legal obligation under Illinois state law to establish and implement an Affordable Housing Plan because the housing stock of the Village contains less than 10% affordable housing.
The League also submitted a written comment, which you can find below.
League of Women Voters - Wilmette, Statement to the Wilmette Housing Commission
July 11, 2026
The League of Women Voters-Wilmette has long advocated for the development of more affordable housing and providing housing that meets the needs of a variety of households. To that end, the League of Women Voters-Wilmette supports policies that assist in ensuring an adequate supply of decent housing to Wilmette residents and those who wish to move to our community, which is attainable and meets the standards of affordability. We appreciate the efforts made by the Housing Commission to assist the Village in developing its overall Housing Plan and its Affordable Housing Plan, which is required by state law.
The League supports the recent actions of the Housing Commission to engage in an expansive and data-driven process of developing strategies to support the community’s housing needs and goals, and working with organizations with expertise in this area, including the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, with support from BRicK Partners. We also commend the Housing Commission for engaging in a deliberative process that includes presenting information to the Wilmette community and providing multiple opportunities for community response, including a survey, focus group discussions, and its series of open, publicized meetings.
The Commission’s role in educating the public about housing issues is of great importance because of their complexity. It is also important in order to respond to commonly held myths about affordable housing. We encourage the Housing Commission and the Village to summarize the proposed strategies and underlying factual support in formats that are easy to absorb and comprehend.
We also recognize that the Wilmette community faces challenges in ensuring affordable and attainable housing due to an aging population, the rising cost of housing, limited facilities for people with disabilities, and limited undeveloped real estate. The League also recognizes the Wilmette community's support in addressing these challenges, as seen in the response to the Housing Commission’s efforts during the past year, including our organization's response.
Therefore, we encourage and support the Housing Commission’s suggested strategies that:
- Pursue the development of more residential rental options, especially units that would be affordable for those who work in the Village and for the Village;
- Pursue the development of housing geared toward the senior members of our community, and those with disabilities;
- Review zoning and planning ordinances for potential changes that would permit more opportunity for multifamily homes, multipurpose buildings, and encourage the inclusion of affordable units (or financial contributions in lieu of such units);
- Encourage avenues for the preservation of current affordable rental and homeowner housing, including through financial assistance;
- Continue to work with community partners, such as CPAH (Community Partners for Affordable Housing, HDOC (Housing Opportunities Development Corporation), Wilmette’s Housing Our Own, and Open Communities; and
- Procedures for monitoring the effectiveness of such policies, and the status of housing demographics within the Village.