Affordable Housing Advocacy Group Meeting Minutes

Date: March 26, 2024

Location of meeting:  Via Zoom

Time meeting was called to order: 7:02pm

Attendees:  Kristin Berg, Nan Parson, Kathy Rolsing, Melani Kaplan, Jeanne Wells, Kate Kerin, Marilyn Novak, Lori Snelson

1. Housing Plan
   1. Draft Housing Plan was approved with no changes. Second Reading likely 4/15.
   1. Summary of short discussion at the City Council meeting on 3/20
      1. There was no introduction of the Plan, no discussion by Council, and only 1 public comment by Kristin. This did not seem appropriate for a “Public Hearing”.
      1. Alderperson Moran asked how the various incentives in the Plan would be prioritized and how to ensure that it would not “sit on the shelf”. He also asked that it be added to the City’s Strategic Plan.
   1. Monitor City Council/COW agendas for any Housing Plan discussions/actions
   1. Monitor PZC agendas for any Housing Plan discussions/actions

Members made a commitment to write to their Alderperson requesting that action be taken to implement the Plan and to include the public in some way.  Additionally, to thank Alderperson Moran for his comments.

There was a short discussion of legislation for zoning reform on a state-wide basis to remove some of the barriers in creating multifamily housing, such as parking requirements, minimum lot sizes, height restrictions, etc.  Should we approach our state legislators and if so, what is the ask?

• Comprehensive Plan
  • Participation in PZC discussions of the Comp Plan with an emphasis on language to encourage AH development in Park Ridge.

The focus may shift to PZC and the Comp Plan as they may be asked to work on parts of the Housing Plan.

• The 2024 Economic Report of the President – Chapter on Affordable Housing
• Link to full report: https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/written-materials/2024/03/21/the-2024-economic-report-of-the-president/#content
• • The Report identifies several new policies that the Biden Administration wants to enact to remove barriers to the housing supply, such as zoning restrictions as well as relief for first-time homebuyers, first generation homebuyers, and low and middle-income homeowners who sell their starter homes.
  • New funding for housing, such as subsidizing rehabilitation, new rental assistance programs, and increased funding to existing programs such as the LIHTC, Home, and CDBG.

There was discussion about a 3 prong approach to reach out to local, state, and federal legislators about possible zoning reforms or other ways to increase AH.  What should the area(s) of focus be?

• Upcoming Events

1. Action Ridge meeting 4/10 The next general meeting will include a roundtable discussion to revitalize AR and come up with a succession plan. We will start advertising next week in a way to encourage new people to attend as well as to discuss the future direction & leadership needs of Action Ridge. We will be sending out a survey to all of AR focused on some questions to explore how we can get more participation in leadership and meetings.

• Active Adult Expo, PR Park District 4/11, 9-12 We will have a table with AR and AH literature and talk to seniors about their needs and getting involved.
  • Get Caught Reading, Spotlight Event 4/13 Grab a book and a chair, and join Spotlight Elevate Engage on the Park Ridge Public library lawn to show your support for public libraries. “Get Caught Reading” will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. Signs are welcome, but please, no sticks. Besides plenty of room to sit and read, the event will include a selfie station to capture yourself “caught reading,” a kids’ activity section, an area to write thank you messages to library staff, and story time with local officials including State Sen. Laura Murphy, Fire Chief Jeff Sorensen, Police Chief Bob Kampwirth and Mayor Marty Maloney.
    Look for more details as they become available on Facebook, Instagram and on Spotlight’s website, https://spotlightee.org. Please direct any questions to AskSpotlightEE@gmail.com. Thank you, Mary Fontaine
  • Firsthand: Homeless Series Starts 2/19 I’m writing today to let you know that FIRSTHAND: HOMELESS is launching on Monday, February 19. The series is part of WTTW’s award-winning, multi-year initiative focusing on critical issues in Chicago. This is a continuation of the series in which I talked about segregation in the northern suburbs. Throughout 2024, WTTW will address the challenges, complexities, and hardships experienced by unhoused individuals in the Chicago area, and the search for possible solutions. More information is in the press release. At any time you're able, I hope you will visit wttw.com/firsthand where you’ll find the five short documentaries (watch the trailer), four expert talks, a companion discussion guide, text and visual journalism, and special WTTW News coverage. This series follows up very nicely from our meeting about homeless individuals in Park Ridge. I hope many of you will check it out. If there's interest, we could plan a discussion for later this spring. Nan
  • Action Ridge May Meeting Nan is working on possibly having Bruce Orenstein speak to us about housing segregation as the new 4-part series “Shame of Chicago, Shame of a Nation begins streaming April 18^th on WTTW.

• Time meeting adjourned: 8:11 pm.

• The next meeting will be Tuesday, 4/30 at 7:oopm on Zoom