The Comprehensive Plan that was recently adopted recommends that the Village “prepare and adopt an Affordable Housing Plan that meets state requirements” and that “the Village should seek to improve the condition of the existing affordable housing in the community and appropriately consider affordable units as a component of future residential development.” At its September 9, 2019 meeting, the Village Board of Trustees directed the Plan Commission to prepare an Affordable Housing Plan for their review and adoption.
The State of Illinois adopted Public Act 093-0595, the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act of Illinois (referred to as the “AHPAA” and “the Act”), which went into effect on January 1, 2004 and was recently updated in 2013 per Public Act 098-0287. The AHPAA is intended to address the lack of moderately-priced housing that exists in many communities. The Act is premised on a finding that “there exists a shortage of affordable, accessible, safe and sanitary housing in the State”. The Act’s purpose is to “encourage counties and municipalities to incorporate affordable housing within their housing stock sufficient to meet the needs of their county or community.” It requires counties and municipalities with less than 10% affordable housing to adopt a Plan. The Act also provides an appeal procedure for aggrieved developers to seek relief from local decisions that inhibit the construction of affordable housing. According to the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s (IHDA) 2018 report, the Village of River Forest affordable housing share is 9.0% and a plan must therefore be prepared and adopted.
The Plan Commission has met on the following dates to discuss the Affordable Housing Plan and review a draft Plan. Copies of meeting agendas, minutes, audio recordings, and meeting packets, which include the draft and revised drafts of the Affordable Housing Plan, are available by clicking on the links below:
The Village Board of Trustees discussed the Affordable Housing Plan at its May 26, 2020 Board Meeting, June 8, 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting, approved the Plan at its June 8, 2020 Village Board Meeting, and further approved an implementation plan at its June 22, 2020 meeting.