Wilmette Adopts New Affordable Housing Plan

WILMETTE, IL — The Wilmette Village Council unanimously approved a resolution to adopt a new affordable housing plan at this week's meeting.

Although the plan is still in its early steps, Tuesday's vote the board is moving forward in developing a comprehensive housing plan to meet state requirements for affordable housing. The Housing Commission will continue refining the plan, incorporating input and stakeholder feedback, over the next 12 to 18 months.

"I'm excited for the work that the Housing Commission is going to do, because housing affects all of us, whether we're middle aged or seniors. Housing one of the most important things on the minds of people who live in Wilmette, and affordable housing is one component of it," Board President Senta Plunkett said.

The Village of Wilmette first created an affordable housing plan in 2005 to abide by the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act passed in Illinois in 2003, which requires all municipalities with a
population of at least 1,000 to have 10 percent of housing units be affordable.

In December 2023, The Illinois Housing Development Authority notified Wilmette that the village was not compliant with the Act. The village was given 18 months to file a new affordable housing plan, the deadline being June 14, 2025.

According to the 2023 analysis, 501 units out of 10,331 were considered affordable as defined by the act, which represents just 4.8 percent of the village housing stock. To get to the required 10 percent, an addition 532 affordable units would need to be added.

Members of the public expressed their support for more affordable housing options in Wilmette at the meeting. Maureen Dulen, co-president of the League of Women Voters in Wilmette, said the lack of housing options within the village have pushed long-time residents out of the community.

"Seniors are finding it hard to stay in the community that they have lived in for a long time and truly love," Dulen said. "Developing and maintaining affordable housing is essential, the League believes this, to the continued vibrancy and the character of this village, which we all again, appreciate so much."

Going forward, the Housing Commission and the village will work together to start the broader housing plan process, which includes a more detailed review of the components of the affordable housing plan. The housing plan will be implemented within 24 months of adoption.