Land Use and Protection - Affordable Housing

DuPage County needs diverse housing stock for all income levels from recent graduates to working families to senior citizens.

 
DuPage County is facing a crisis in housing affordability, and it is affecting our economy. Despite the recent housing slump, DuPage County had the highest median sales price for a single-family home over any county in the state of Illinois. Additionally, housing prices are outpacing incomes.  Between 2000 and 2006, median home values in DuPage rose about 59% but median incomes rose less than 9%.  Many families, including those with two incomes are unable to afford to live in the County.  With the current situation, even moderately-paid professionals that we count on to provide critical services in our communities (police officers, fire fighters, nurses, medical technicians, teachers) are finding they can’t afford to live in the community in which they work.  We need the people who need affordable housing!
 

What is Affordable Housing? Housing that complies with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) standard that a family should spend no more than 30% of its monthly income on housing.  Some define affordable housing for moderate income families as workforce housing or “starter homes.” Myths and Realities About Affordable Housing

 
The Current Situation:

Dual-Income Households

Occupation	Combined Median Wage	Affordable Home Price (% of Homes on Market 11/07/08)	Actual Median Home Price	The Gap
Firefighter and Retail Sales Clerk	$78,725	$236,175           (12%)	$329,000	$92,825
Mail Carrier and Nurses Aid	$71,631	$214,893            (8%)	$329,000	$114,107
Receptionist and Security Guard	$50,321	$150,963            (1%)	$329,000	$178,037

 

Single-Income Households

Occupation	DuPage Median Wage	Affordable Home Price (% of Homes on Market 11/07/08)	Actual Median Home Price	The Gap
Machinist	$35,700	$107,268            (>1%)	$329,000	$221,732
Registered Nurse	$55,632	$166,896            (2%)	$329,000	$162,104
Electrician	$64,033	$192,099            (4%)	$329,000	$136,901
High School Teacher	$69,125	$207,375            (7%)	$329,000	$121,621

 

Additionally, employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain entry and middle level employees because of the high cost of housing in the county.  As employees move further out, traffic becomes increasingly congested with more people on the road traveling further to work each day.  As families live further away from their place of employment, it becomes difficult for employees to take care of personal matters (doctor and dental appointments, emergency home repairs, etc.) during a lunch hour.  Therefore, employees take a full day off work resulting in a loss of productivity for the employer.
   
Local employers are also finding it increasingly difficult to attract service workers, the fastest growing industry in DuPage, because of the significant housing gap between the wage earned and the cost of housing.  Low-wage service sector jobs drive much of the local economy yet these workers are struggling by the thousands to find affordable housing near their jobs.  These housing options are very limited and don't necessarily exist close to where many of the employers are located.

 

Housing Gap in DuPage       Median home price in DuPage County - 2008 Requires an income of about $109,700* *Only 30% of DuPage households meet the income requirement $329,000   Median household income in 2008 is $71,600 Allows for purchase of a home for $214,800   Gap between median home price and the home price that families with the median income can afford: $114,200

 

 
We Need People Who Need Affordable Housing!

  

Action

The DuPage Community Foundation identified and partnered with the DuPage Homeownership Center and DuPage United to address the need to preserve and enhance DuPage County’s supply of affordable housing for all income levels.  Communityworks grants were given to these organizations to work on specific projects that will ultimately result in an increased supply of moderately priced housing stock throughout the county.   
 
Actions and Results of Affordable Housing Partners

 

 

"The lack of affordable housing not only threatens the quality of life for our residents, but is a direct factor in our ability to retain and attract business to our county.  If we are to remain a job creation center, we must have a full spectrum of housing opportunities to accommodate workers at all levels of employment."  - Robert Schillerstrom, Chairman     DuPage County Board

 

Moving Forward 

Going forward, The DuPage Community Foundation has established measurable goals to increase awareness that the need for a greater supply of affordable housing exists. 
  

How You Can Help

Your financial commitment will help us to find long-term solutions to increase the supply of affordable housing in DuPage County.   

Grand Victoria Foundation has given us $2.12 million in support of Communityworks.  As part of this commitment, they have also challenged us to raise an additional $2 million in new and increased gifts which they will match dollar for dollar through October 2011.
  
For further information, please contact Barb Szczepaniak, Foundation Director of Grants at (630) 665-5556 or click on the link below to make a gift.