The Evanston Housing Commission is looking for folks to serve on a task force to create a comprehensive affordable housing plan for the city.
Commission Chairman Susan Munro says the commission hopes the task force will include:
- One or two aldermen
- Two Housing Commissioners
- One person from the Plan Commission or the Zoning Board
- One or two for-profit developers
- One or two representatives from community housing development organizations
- One person with knowledge of funding sources to support affordable housing (e.g., IHDA, foundations)
- One banker
- One representative from one of Evanston’s larger employers.
- Two housing advocates
- Two community representatives (people who need affordable housing, including renters)
- Staff from city’s Community Development department.
She says the task force is expected to meet at least once a month from October through next June. The meetings may be scheduled in the early morning, 7-9 a.m., to accommodate people who have jobs and multiple evening meetings.
The goal, she says, is to develop a comprehensive plan, with specific objectives, both citywide and by ward, to guide city staff and community housing development organizations.
The plan may include targets for numbers and types of housing units needed in the city, steps the city can take to preserve and develop affordable housing for people who live or work in Evanston and programs or policy changes needed to meet city goals.
Persons can nominate themselves, or others, by sending information to Munro at susanmunro47@sbcglobal.net or calling her at 847-864-4374.
She says information needs to be received no later than Sept. 8 and should include the address, phone, e-mail, profession and interests of the person named.