Top Concerns in AH Survey: Housing, Safety, and Health

Arlington Heights residents have identified affordable housing, public safety, and access to health and support services as the most pressing community needs, according to the village’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Community Needs Survey.

More than 160 residents and local stakeholders responded to the survey, offering insight into the challenges facing the village, from rising housing costs to aging infrastructure and gaps in services for seniors and people with disabilities.

Housing Costs and Stability Take Center Stage
Affordable housing emerged as the top priority, particularly for seniors and families. Nearly half (47%) of respondents cited affordable senior housing as a critical need, and 42% emphasized the importance of “aging in place” support to help older adults remain in their homes. Affordable rental housing followed closely, with 39% listing it as a key concern.

“Housing costs are crazy,” one resident wrote. “Young families moving in is the lifeblood of the community. Many are stretched thin.” Others expressed concern that unaffordable repairs and property taxes are accelerating the loss of modest homes and fueling high-end redevelopment.
A local service provider reported that seniors often face housing waitlists stretching three to five years. In one example, a client earning just over $2,000 per month could not afford property taxes but still failed to qualify for financial assistance, highlighting a disconnect between income thresholds and real-life affordability.

Safety and Police Services Remain Key IssuesPublic safety was another major theme. Forty-nine percent of participants said police services were a top neighborhood need, and 40% prioritized anti-crime initiatives. Residents called for more visible patrols, better traffic enforcement, and safer crossings, especially near high-traffic corridors such as Euclid Avenue.

“Let your police do their jobs,” one respondent urged, reflecting broad support for a stronger public safety presence.

Mental Health and Child Care Struggles Highlighted
Mental health services also ranked high on the list of concerns. Among specialized services, 39% identified mental health support as a priority. Several residents linked mental health to economic stressors, housing insecurity, and inadequate access to preventive care.
“Mental health services should also include preventive services, which include affordable, safe housing,” one respondent noted.

Residents also described the strain on working families, citing high child care costs and a lack of accessible programs for children, including those with disabilities. Respondents said these issues hinder parents’ ability to work and participate in the local economy.

Infrastructure and Transportation Gaps
Infrastructure needs were widely reported, with residents pointing to outdated systems and a lack of age-friendly amenities. Sidewalk repairs (46%), street maintenance (44%), and water and sewer system upgrades (44%) were identified as top concerns.

Residents also advocated for more street lighting, expanded bike and pedestrian paths, the removal of lead pipes, and the burial of utility lines. Some called for greater access to recreational facilities, including proposals to allow seniors free use of the ARC fitness track.

Transportation assistance—particularly for seniors and individuals with disabilities—was another recurring theme. Thirty-seven percent of respondents supported services for non-drivers to access medical care, jobs, and essential services within the village.

Looking Ahead: Resident Priorities for the Next Five Years
In the survey’s final question, residents selected their top three priorities for the next five years. Affordable housing again led the list (41%), followed by crime prevention (34%), homelessness prevention (22%), and mental health and child care services (18% each). Senior services, transportation, and infrastructure improvements also ranked prominently.

Some respondents offered specific suggestions, including converting vacant lots and outdated buildings into affordable housing. “If one thing should be funded,” one respondent wrote, “it should be more affordable senior housing. This is part of providing preventive mental health services and aging in place.”

As Arlington Heights prepares its next CDBG funding plan, survey results provide a clear direction: invest in housing affordability, strengthen public safety, expand health and family services, and modernize infrastructure to meet the needs of residents across generations.

For many, these issues are not theoretical—they are about maintaining a stable life in the community they call home.