ULI Chicago, in partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) convened a 2- day workshop to develop recommendations for maintaining and building workforce housing in Chicago’s North River neighborhoods, especially Albany Park. The purpose of the workshop was to promote a mix of housing types to serve a variety of household types and income levels, with a primary focus on housing affordable to households earning between 50%-120% of AMI.  Review Scope of Work.

ULI Chicago panelists reviewed extensive background information, toured the area, and spoke to key stakeholders to understand the neighborhood’s housing challenges and opportunities. Using this information, the panelists worked collaboratively to create a set of practical and implementable strategies to start addressing housing affordability in the neighborhood. Key recommendations included supporting mission-oriented developers in making strategic acquisitions to maintain the stock of naturally occurring affordable housing, working with local anchor institutions to provide employer assisted housing and leveraging tax credits and CHA resources to maintain affordability for lower-income working families in new construction housing along Lawrence Avenue. Stay tuned for the recommendations report scheduled to be released later this summer.

Thank you to the following volunteers for serving on the ULI Chicago panel:

• Bill Eager, Executive Director, Preservation of Affordable Housing
• Bryan Esenberg, Deputy Commissioner, City of Chicago, Department of Planning & Development
• Tyler Hague, Vice President, Colliers International
• Rafael Leon, Executive Director, Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation (CMHDC)
• Claudia Marchan, Assistant Program Officer, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
• Ann McKenzie, Senior Director of Rental Assistance Demonstration, Chicago Housing Authority
• Deborah Moore, Director of Neighborhood Strategy & Planning, Neighborhood Housing Services
• Allison Porter-Bell, Vice President, BMO Harris Bank N.A.
• Paul Rickelman, Attorney, PMR Law
• Will Woodley, Director of Development, The Community Builders
• Stacie Young, Director of Preservation Compact, Community Investment Corporation

Learn more about ULI Chicago’s Technical Assistance Services Program.