Daily Herald opinion: Building on success: DuPage County remains focused on finding ways to boost affordable housing

The news has been positive lately for those who believe that more people should be able to afford to live in the suburbs.

New developments recently opened in Mount Prospect and Palatine. An affordable senior housing complex is under construction in Addison. In addition, Glen Ellyn officials approved a long-sought plan to construct 42 affordable housing units near the Roosevelt Road corridor.

However, the need for similar projects continues. That fact has DuPage County leaders working on a framework to add more affordable units to the housing stock countywide.

Two years after the county formed an ad hoc committee to examine the issue, officials have proposed ways to entice developers to build affordable housing projects throughout DuPage. The ideas under consideration include creating a land bank and establishing an affordable housing trust fund.

In a story published Monday, senior writer Katlyn Smith wrote about how both proposals could become significant tools for expanding affordable housing opportunities in DuPage.

Colby Sledge of Grounded Solutions Network, one of the consultants hired by the county, told Smith that there is a “willingness to work towards solving the issue in a variety of ways.”

“It shows the leadership at the county level and at many of the cities and towns as well, that they're willing to take this on,” Sledge added.

Affordable housing generally is defined as housing that costs a renter or homeowner no more than 30% of their monthly income. Officials have made clear that finding housing in DuPage that meets the definition of affordable can be difficult for several groups of residents, including first-time homebuyers, essential workers, senior citizens wishing to downsize and young adults who grew up in the county and want to raise their families in the county.

DuPage County Board Chairwoman Deborah Conroy said two years ago that housing affordability “is an issue of paramount interest.” And to their credit, county officials treated it that way.

In addition to creating the ad hoc committee on affordable housing, the county eased various zoning requirements. County board members also set aside a total of $5 million for an affordable-housing program.

The next step could be starting a land bank. Generally, land banks can acquire, renovate and sell properties. According to Sledge, a land bank would allow DuPage to turn liabilities — such as vacant or underutilized parcels — into the potential for housing for residents at more affordable rates.

The county also could establish a housing trust fund to support various housing needs. Such a fund, for instance, could provide grants or loans to developers or organizations looking to create or preserve affordable housing in the county.

Both the housing trust fund and land bank are ideas worthy of consideration.

Our suburban communities are great places to live. But it’s up to local leaders to make the issue of affordable housing a priority. We hope the work DuPage County is doing encourages municipal leaders to take a similar approach in their villages and cities.