The Evanston Land Use Commission has recommended approval of the proposed 900 Clark development, moving the project one step closer to consideration by the Planning & Development Committee and City Council.

The 26-story development would bring 360 new apartments to Evanston, including 72 income-restricted affordable homes and will require final approval from City Council.

Residents have raised important questions about 900 Clark. But those questions come at a time when Evanston is facing a significant affordability challenge. Evanston home prices have risen 8.5%, while the City’s Housing Gap Analysis found that 48% of renter households are housing cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

At the same time, Evanston's Housing4All plan has committed to creating 2,500 to 4,000 new housing units by 2036, including more affordable housing.

That raises a bigger question for Evanston: How do we make room for affordable homes while addressing concerns about growth and creating a downtown that continues to thrive?

At Connections, we believe everyone should have a safe, stable and affordable place to call home. No single development will solve Evanston’s housing crisis. But every new affordable home changes the trajectory for a family or an individual in need.

Arlington Heights’ first youth shelter is expanding, creating more room for young people to find stability and build the skills needed for adulthood.

Since 2021, Shelter Youth and Family Service and community advocates have worked to expand the shelter’s youth transitional living program from six to 10 residents.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services describes transitional living services as helping older youth, many who have experienced foster care or homelessness, make the transition to independent living. Services can include housing assistance, education and employment support, and training in everyday living skills.

The Village of Arlington Heights approved the expansion earlier this month. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, one in four youth who age out of foster care will experience homelessness within four years.  

We’re proud to celebrate Shelter Youth and Family Services, Connections’ Associate Director of Advocacy Shereemer Chevannes, and the Northwest Alliance for Housing Affordability (powered by our advocacy program, Joining Forces for Affordable Housing), for helping create a safety net for vulnerable young people.

Last week, the Lake County Board unanimously voted in favor of zoning changes that will make way for more affordable housing.

Midlothian Manor is a small but important step toward addressing Lake County’s affordable housing needs. The project will bring 24 homes with below-market rents to unincorporated Lake Zurich, affordable to households earning approximately $20,000 to $40,000 a year.

Every additional affordable home brings us closer to a future where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home.

Congratulations to Lake County on this win, and to our Associate Director of Advocacy Liz Nelson, for her work building community support for this project!