Daily Herald opinion: Glen Ellyn finds positive compromise in decision to sell property to affordable housing developer

Affordable housing is such a hot-button topic that simply mentioning it is guaranteed to bring out neighbors opposed to proposals nearby. That public pressure often makes local politicians reluctant to approve plans for affordable multifamily housing.

But Glen Ellyn officials found a commendable compromise for property the village owns near Roosevelt Road and Park Boulevard.

Last week, village trustees unanimously agreed to sell nearly an acre of the land for $1.75 million to a nonprofit developer planning to build affordable housing. As a result, Chicago-based Full Circle Communities can pursue its goal of turning the former hotel site into an apartment complex with up to 42 units. At least 30% of the units would become permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities.

“Families will now have a chance to stay close to each other,” Village President Mark Senak said. “Young adults who would have been forced to move miles away to find a place to live will now have a chance to stay in the community where their family and friends live, where they grew up, where they go to school and where many of them work.”

Indeed, affordable housing allows young people starting their careers to live in the town they call home. It also lets older empty nesters downsize without leaving their community.

Senior writer Katlyn Smith reported that Glen Ellyn’s decision received praise from advocates who have spent years trying to boost the affordable housing supply in DuPage County. They hope the project by Full Circle Communities inspires other suburban communities to address a critical shortage of this much-needed resource.

We wholeheartedly agree.

Glen Ellyn leaders also deserve credit for not ignoring the concerns of some nearby residents who argued against the proposal and pushed for commercial redevelopment instead. While the village agreed to sell the western portion of its property to Full Circle Communities, it recently signed a letter of intent with a commercial developer for the parcels on the east side of Exmoor Avenue. That developer has offered $1.5 million for the land.

So, Glen Ellyn intends to add commercial development while increasing its housing stock that meets the criteria for affordability.

Affordable housing generally is defined as housing that costs a renter or homeowner no more than 30% of their monthly income.

Meanwhile, advocates have pointed out that the hotel site “checks all the boxes” for an affordable housing location. It’s accessible to public transit, schools and health care. It’s across the street from a park and within walking distance of grocery stores.

Adding more affordable housing throughout the suburbs will take effort and political will. Perhaps what happened in Glen Ellyn can be a blueprint for other communities to follow.