Housing, especially affordable housing, is one of the most discussed topics in Evanston, and for good reason. There is a shortage of housing here just as there is nationwide. Following introduction of the Envision Evanston comprehensive plan, much of the feedback on that document over many months focused on housing. (See the Envision Evanston article in the September Intercom.) With that plan apparently near to completion, a reasonable next step would be a redesign of the zoning code. 

However, on September 12, before a revised zoning code had been proposed, the city released Housing4All, a strategic housing plan. Unlike the Envision Evanston comprehensive plan, which is a 20-year roadmap addressing many aspects of the city and is described as visionary rather than strategic, Housing4All provides an analysis of current housing conditions and develops goals, objectives, and strategies to meet housing needs for the next ten years. Moreover, it includes an implementation plan with benchmarks and annual reviews. Goals in the document include plans to “preserve and create 3,000 to 5,000 housing units” by 2035.

As with the comprehensive plan, the City of Evanston invited public input on the draft strategic housing plan. Our League’s Local Program group which monitored and commented on the comprehensive plan recently reviewed the strategic housing plan draft in collaboration with Joining Forces for Affordable Housing. With LWVE board approval, we provided feedback on behalf of our League. The group strongly agreed with the objectives stated in the plan: “To preserve affordable housing units, create new housing to address gaps in the supply, and protect residents from displacement.” These objectives are consistent with LWVE Local Positions that were developed through study and member consensus.

Our feedback also included suggestions for clarifying several strategies, strengthening oversight, and expanding the annual report to include evaluation and accountability.  You can read the entire League statement on the Housing4All draft on our website.

Once the Housing and Community Development Committee (HCDC) completes its work on the Housing4All document, it will recommend a final version of the plan to the Evanston City Council for adoption. At one point, the goal was to forward the plan to Council this month, with a Council vote by the end of the year. However, the timeline was recently updated. The current expectation is that a revised draft, reflecting committee discussion and community feedback, will go to the HCDC in January 2026.