Winnetka is not the only northern suburb dealing with questions about affordable housing. In 2010, Highland Park, Glencoe, Lake Forest, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Northfield and Wilmette all were cited by the Illinois Housing Development Authority as among the 49 Illinois communities with less than 10 percent affordable housing. According to the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act, all such communities must submit a plan for how they will incorporate affordable housing to the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Winnetka's Town Hall
Chicago Tonight spoke with Gail Schechter, Executive Director of the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, about what the communities surrounding Winnetka are doing about affordable housing. Here’s what she had to say:
Highland Park: “They passed a Comprehensive Plan that prioritized diversity and affordable housing. Then they commissioned a study and a plan. UIC’s Voorhees Center was selected back in 2000 or so. Over the span of about 3-4 years, Highland Park created an Affordable Housing Trust Fund funded by a teardown tax, a Community Land Trust to use these funds to create affordable housing, and an inclusionary zoning ordinance to mandate an affordable housing set-aside in new multi-family developments. Highland Park had public housing for seniors and families that predated this newer housing.”
Glencoe: “This community has no subsidized housing at all. Glencoe has been extremely resistant to any affordable housing. [The community] submitted an affordable housing plan per the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act.”
Kenilworth: “Like Glencoe and Winnetka, there’s no subsidized housing here at all. They did do an Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act plan. As far as I know, they’re not planning on doing anything. It’s a very small community.”
Northbrook: “Northbrook has made affordable housing a priority in its new Comprehensive Plan. The plan passed in December 2010. Northbrook has one subsidized senior rental building called Crestwood Place. It’s a school that was converted to housing. There’s been talk for years about expanding Crestwood but nothing’s happened.”
Northfield: “Northfield has no subsidized housing.”
Wilmette: “They have two subsidized senior rental buildings dating back to the ’80s, a senior affordable condo building and 11 affordable units carved out in the high-end Mallinckrodt condo building, which has about 85 condos, also all for seniors. Wilmette did comply with its affordable housing plan, but nothing’s been implemented yet.”
To hear about Winnetka’s affordable housing battle, watch Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm.
More on Affordable Housing in Winnetka and the Village Plan Commission’s report
More on the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs
Once again Gail Schecter is spinning like a top. Most Winnetkans do not want to be dictated to by the gov’t and activist groups such as the ilk Gail runs. Winnetkans via a democratic vote opted for Home Rule to escape mandated affordable housing/entitlements being foisted on our community. Further, most Winnetkans do not see affordable housing in the race/class tinted glasses of Ms. Shechter. Winnetka is open to all classes,races,religions. Our housing stock prices vary from low to high. Winnetka has never been more affordable than any other time in the past decade. She cited that the NorthShore has an 80-90% homeownership rate. If anything that is a sign of a vibrant real estate market with many choices. That we have low vacancy speaks to the goodness of our community. As far as people who work in Winnetka not “being able” to live here. Does Gail propose that we force them? These workers are not robots, they are free to make their own purchasing choices. That’s called a Free Market -Gail. Finally, anyone who donates to Gail Schecters organization and lives in Winnetka or any other North Shore community not meeting her “affordable housing standards” will be in her sights. As Winnetka has learned that includes ample blows below the belt by Ms. Schecter.
I want to have housing that is reasonable, safe and affordable. This does not mean that I want some new program to subsidize those that want something better than they can reasonably afford. The evidence in this article does *not* support the case it is trying to make — apparently that affordable housing subsidies need to be increased.
There is no reason that every micro-community needs to meet affordable housing standards because there are plenty of “affordable” options within a close range. The article show programs in communities that are literally within walking distance! Furthermore, there is no evidence that there is any need for subsidized housing that is not already present. The case for a subsidizing housing in a particular micro-community is weak, at best.
Finally, the proponents of this plan need to be more clear about what they propose – get beyond the theory and propose a practice. Who would qualify? What standards would be applied? What regulations would change? What finding would be required and what would the source of that funding be? Etc. Please stop the emotional arguments and get to the facts.
The real question to ask all the Winnetka residents so opposed to the affordable housing plan, is why are they against it? You say it is not because of race or class, and that you simply don’t want to be dictated to, yet how will having affordable housing in Winnetka affect each of you? It most likely won’t, and that is why you avoid actually giving a reason. It is because the real reason is probably too embarrassing for you to admit. If you had a legitimate reason, and could avoid coming across as the racist, prejudiced, and overly sheltered individuals you are, then you would have had a representative on the show to defend yourselves against Gail Schecter and her ‘irk’. Instead you choose to post anonymous comments online in which you don’t defend your position but instead simply attack those on the other side.
I do not know who Gail Schecter is, and I no longer live in Winnetka. As a recent graduate of college my only hope of living in Winnetka would be to live at my parent’s home. I am thankful for my upbringing in Winnetka, but it is one of the most sheltered and disillusioned communities I have known. It would do well to add some diversity in the form of affordable housing, though I am unfortunately not surprised at the uproar raised against it.
I would like information on subsidized senior housing in the suburban and Chicago area. Please direct me in any way possible.
Thanks,
Pam Goodfriend