East Side

Submarket 4

Communities should take steps to prepare for and attract private market real estate investment. Although communities in Submarket 4 have older housing stock and moderate-value homes, they still have many assets on which to build. However, Submarket 4 communities may not be prepared to leverage these assets because, in some cases, they have not taken strategic steps such as addressing troubled properties, improving streetscapes, updating development regulations, or assessing market conditions to prepare for development.

Strategies (expand all)

Maintaining distressed properties Communities can take steps to secure and conceal vacant or abandoned properties.

Communities can take steps to secure and conceal vacant or abandoned properties. Reducing the visible signs of distress on a block, such as the negative effects of foreclosures or short sales, can help maintain nearby property values. Illinois law allows for priority liens for securing and maintaining abandoned residential property, and covers the removal of weeds, trees, bushes, grass, garbage, debris, or graffiti, and securing or enclosing the property. Under this law, municipalities recover their expenses after taxes are paid but before the mortgage is recovered. Thus, municipalities will recover even when the value of the property is less than the value of the mortgage. If municipalities are maintaining vacant property in their community, they should be sure to go through the necessary steps to file a high priority lien on the property. The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and BPI’s publication on Vacant Building Ordinances provides detailed information and step-by-step guidance on this process. Learn more about strategies to deal with vacant property.

Make visible investments Investments in the public-facing streets and façades of the community can help signal a positive investment climate to private developers and improve quality of life for residents.

Investments in the public-facing streets and façades of the community can help signal a positive investment climate to private developers and improve quality of life for residents. Façade and streetscape improvements may be funded by establishing a local Business Improvement District (BID), Special Service Area (SSA), or Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. These mechanisms use property taxes to gather financial resources for improvements. The City of Chicago’s TIF-Neighborhood Improvement Program (TIF-NIP) is a good example of how to structure a program to encourage exterior repairs and improvements.

Review regulations affecting real estate development To better compete for private market real estate investments, communities can preemptively inventory and update development regulations.

To better compete for private market real estate investments, communities can preemptively inventory and update development regulations. Development regulations protect community health, character, and safety, but can also sometimes be outdated or create unintended barriers to private investment. Some regulations are especially onerous and limit developer interest in investment, while others prohibit forms of development the community may wish to allow. For instance, density limitations may prohibit condo buildings in communities’ historic downtowns. Large minimum lot sizes may prevent the development of starter homes or housing for older community residents. Similarly, point-of-sale requirements may excessively extend home sale transaction timelines. Communities should audit and potentially refresh existing regulations to ensure that they are not creating unintended or unnecessary barriers to development. Assistance may be available through the Urban Land Institute or local associations of realtors to help evaluate perceptions among private market actors of the difficulty of working in the community.

Value of housing planning Municipalities should invest in planning to help define community character and long-term goals.

Municipalities should invest in planning to help define community character and long-term goals. In order to determine which strategies to pursue most actively, Submarket 4 communities must establish a market-feasible vision for future development. There are multiple avenues for evaluating alternatives and setting goals for the community, including hiring a market consultant, engaging in comprehensive planning, or undertaking a local housing plan, such as those provided by Homes for a Changing Region.

Submarket 2

Finding a balance between too aggressive and too lenient code enforcement can be difficult. Development pressures in some parts of submarket 2 allow the market to either rehabilitate or replace older units with code issues. In other parts of submarket 2, where the market is comparatively weaker, communities struggle to find the right balance in addressing code issues. Too aggressive enforcement can lead to vacancy and reduced neighborhood stability because building owners cannot afford to make all the repairs. Too lenient enforcement can lead to households living in unsafe or unsanitary homes. Burdensome point of sale requirements may deter new investment in the community, and challenges with staff capacity can result in long waiting periods to complete required inspections. The results of either approach compound over time and can serve as a deterrent to future market-driven rehabilitation.

Strategies (expand all)

Rental unit monitoring and regulation Effective municipal regulation, coupled with pro-active strategies and incentives, can improve rental quality and reduce problems.

Effective municipal regulation, coupled with pro-active strategies and incentives, can improve rental quality and reduce problems. With the number of rental properties in submarket 2, municipalities need to review the structure of their rental unit monitoring and regulation efforts to make sure that they are effectively maintaining the quality of the local rental stock in accordance with state law. Municipalities may want to consider implementing a performance-based rental regulation ordinance such as the one in place in the Village of Addison. Municipalities may also want to point owners of multifamily rental property to the abundance of resources at the Community Investment Corporation (CIC) for financing, energy efficiency, and property management training. Learn about best practice rental regulation strategies.

Strategic code enforcement on vacant properties Code enforcement departments should create targeted intervention strategies based on certain property characteristics.

Code enforcement departments should create targeted intervention strategies based on certain property characteristics. Municipalities must find the right balance in code-enforcement work. Too lenient enforcement can allow vacant and abandoned properties to blight a neighborhood. Too stringent enforcement can deter additional investment in a neighborhood. For example, some municipalities have reported that boarding vacant properties actually discourages neighborhood investment and the best strategy is to make a property appear occupied. Code enforcement departments should maintain vacant property to the best of their ability and issue priority property maintenance liens as necessary. Even sending a notice to a property owner that a priority lien will be issued may encourage an owner to pay past fines or start taking an interest in the property. However, it is important for code enforcement departments to also make a plan when it is clear that the owner of a property is no longer being responsive. Outlining a strategy to identify properties that may need more aggressive intervention is important. At a certain point when the owner is no longer responding it may be more cost efficient in the long run to intervene with a more aggressive strategy. Communities must be willing to utilize the full arsenal of enforcement tools, including demolition or declaration of abandonment, if necessary. Learn more about strategies to deal with vacant properties.

Utilize demolition, fast-track, and abandonment authority More aggressive strategies may be needed when owners become unresponsive.

More aggressive strategies may be needed when owners become unresponsive. When it is clear an owner of a vacant property is no longer being responsive, municipalities should consider more aggressive strategies. The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and BPI’s publication on Vacant Building Ordinances provides detailed information and step-by-step guidance on abandonment, fast track demolition, and declaration of abandonment. Some south suburban municipalities have used their abandonment authority to take control of problem properties and then partner with the South Suburban Land Bank to transfer ownership of these properties to responsible owners. The Village of Lansing has been using abandonment petitions to gain control of vacant properties, reduce strain on municipal resources, and attract investment. Learn more about strategies to deal with vacant properties.

Submarket 2

Communities struggle to determine how best to deal with foreclosures. Stakeholders raised concerns about the ongoing impact of foreclosures in submarket 2. The lingering effects depend on the proximity to other markets. Near stronger submarkets, like 3 and 7, foreclosures can be addressed more easily, with units often reoccupied, whether by owners or renters. In other areas, communities struggle to determine how best to deal with foreclosures. If not properly addressed, foreclosures can begin a neighborhood cycle of disinvestment. Prolonged disinvestment drives property abandonment, resulting in demolition in many cases. While demolition may represent an immediate benefit to surrounding residents, high rates of demolition can also create new challenges by disrupting the fabric of the built environment.

Strategies (expand all)

High priority property maintenance liens Municipalities should utilize priority liens to recover costs incurred for securing and maintaining abandoned residential property.

Municipalities should utilize priority liens to recover costs incurred for securing and maintaining abandoned residential property. Illinois law allows for priority liens for securing and maintaining abandoned residential property. The law applies to any type of permanent dwelling unit that has been unoccupied for at least 90 days and for which the municipality attempted to contact the owner(s) or the owner’s agent(s) but was unable to reach anyone. It covers the removal of weeds, trees, bushes, grass, garbage, debris, or graffiti, and securing or enclosing the property. Liens obtained under this law are superior to all other liens, except taxes. Under this law, municipalities recover their expenses after taxes are paid but before the mortgage is recovered. Thus, municipalities will recover even when the value of the property is less than the value of the mortgage. If municipalities are maintaining vacant property in their community, they should be sure to go through the necessary steps to file a high priority lien on the property. The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and Business and Professional People for the Public Interest’s (BPI) publication on Vacant Building Ordinances provides detailed information and step-by-step guidance on this process. Learn more about strategies to deal with vacant property.

Housing counseling Communities should familiarize themselves with any HUD certified housing counseling agencies in their area and market their services to residents.

Communities should familiarize themselves with any HUD certified housing counseling agencies in their area and market their services to residents. Housing Action Illinois provides information about housing counseling agencies across the region. Residents can get access to financial management and budget counseling, mortgage delinquency and default counseling, pre-purchase education, one-on-one homeownership counseling, rental information, fair housing guidance, rehabilitation programs, reverse mortgage counseling, homeless prevention support, predatory lending education, and foreclosure prevention options.

Land banking Land banks can be used as a strategic tool to acquire problem vacant properties and convert them into assets.

Land banks can be used as a strategic tool to acquire problem vacant properties and convert them into assets. Land banks are governmental entities or nonprofit corporations that focus on the conversion of vacant, abandoned and tax delinquent properties into productive use and have proved to be a useful tool to help reinvent and revitalize neighborhoods. Most vacant and abandoned properties have many legal and financial barriers, such as years of back taxes and clouded title that make it difficult to attract investors. Land banks have the ability to hold land tax-free and clear title and/or extinguish back taxes, which can be essential when trying to attract buyers and investment. Land banks can work in partnership with municipalities to advance community-based goals. There are two successful examples of land banks in Illinois, in both the south suburbs and Cook County, and other areas of the region struggling with issues of vacancy and blight might consider the use of land banking as a tool in their community. The Center for Community Progress is a good starting point to learning about land banking. Learn more about strategies to deal with vacant property.

Resource targeting Targeting resources can increase their impact.

Targeting resources can increase their impact. Submarket 2 neighborhoods often attract funding to address local issues because of evidence of distress, like more foreclosures and high levels of cost burden. To ensure those resources maximize impact, communities, program operators, and funders should explore how to work closely in targeting those resources, as was done by Evanston with its Neighborhood Stabilization Program or Chicago with its Micro-Market Recovery Program.

Review regulations affecting real estate development Communities may want to review Point of Sale requirements in order to determine if they are discouraging investment in the municipality.

Communities may want to review Point of Sale requirements in order to determine if they are discouraging investment in the municipality. Burdensome Point of Sale requirements—the steps that a seller or purchaser must go through with a municipality to buy a sell or unit—can dampen market interest in a community. An internal audit of Point of Sale requirements that considers the time to complete the entire process may prove helpful. Communities may consider conducting a focus group of potential developers/investors to gather feedback on the requirements and how they can be improved. Municipalities want to be sure their process is efficient, and at times flexible, in order to encourage sales activity in the community.

Strategic code enforcement on vacant properties Code enforcement departments should create targeted intervention strategies based on certain property characteristics.

Code enforcement departments should create targeted intervention strategies based on certain property characteristics. Municipalities must find the right balance in code-enforcement work. Too lenient enforcement can allow vacant and abandoned properties to blight a neighborhood. Too stringent enforcement can deter additional investment in a neighborhood. For example, some municipalities have reported that boarding vacant properties actually discourages neighborhood investment and the best strategy is to make a property appear occupied. Code enforcement departments should maintain vacant property to the best of their ability and issue priority property maintenance liens as necessary. Even sending a notice to a property owner that a priority lien will be issued may encourage an owner to pay past fines or start taking an interest in the property. However, it is important for code enforcement departments to also make a plan when it is clear that the owner of a property is no longer being responsive. Outlining a strategy to identify properties that may need more aggressive intervention is important. At a certain point when the owner is no longer responding it may be more cost efficient in the long run to intervene with a more aggressive strategy. Communities must be willing to utilize the full arsenal of enforcement tools, including demolition or declaration of abandonment, if necessary. Learn more about strategies to deal with vacant properties.

Utilize demolition, fast-track, and abandonment authority More aggressive strategies may be needed when owners become unresponsive.

More aggressive strategies may be needed when owners become unresponsive. When it is clear an owner of a vacant property is no longer being responsive, municipalities should consider more aggressive strategies. The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and BPI’s publication on Vacant Building Ordinances provides detailed information and step-by-step guidance on abandonment, fast track demolition, and declaration of abandonment. Some south suburban municipalities have used their abandonment authority to take control of problem properties and then partner with the South Suburban Land Bank to transfer ownership of these properties to responsible owners. The Village of Lansing has been using abandonment petitions to gain control of vacant properties, reduce strain on municipal resources, and attract investment. Learn more about strategies to deal with vacant properties.

Submarket 4

These walkable, higher density communities with access to rail transit may be attractive to current consumers. Due to their age, many Submarket 4 communities are close to the City of Chicago, or within older subregional job centers like Aurora or Waukegan, with strong access to public transit resources. Many of these older communities also have architecturally notable smaller homes on smaller lots, which may be an asset considering changing consumer preferences. Combined with walkable, moderate-density town centers, these assets have the potential to attract investment, especially as family formation continues among millennials.

Strategies (expand all)

Placemaking and marketing strategies Communities should develop strategies to create greater neighborhood identity in order to encourage additional private sector investment.

Communities should develop strategies to create greater neighborhood identity in order to encourage additional private sector investment. Municipalities can make a concerted effort to enhance neighborhood character in Submarket 4 through strategic public investments such as neighborhood branding/signage, streetlights, sidewalks, etc. Public sector investment will likely signal to the private market a commitment to an area and make it more attractive for additional resources. Learn about placemaking strategies. In addition, marketing the local community can also be useful. However, any marketing campaign must be based in frank self-assessment of existing assets and market realities. The “Why Berwyn?” campaign provides a good example of an asset-based approach to community marketing.

Value of housing planning Municipalities should invest in planning to help define community character and long-term goals.

Municipalities should invest in planning to help define community character and long-term goals. In order to determine which strategies to pursue most actively, Submarket 4 communities must establish a market-feasible vision for future development. There are multiple avenues for evaluating alternatives and setting goals for the community, including hiring a market consultant, engaging in comprehensive planning, or undertaking a local housing plan, such as those provided by Homes for a Changing Region.

Submarket 4

Although housing costs are relatively low, community members may still struggle with housing payments. Many residents benefit from the moderate costs associated with living in Submarket 4 communities. However, due to stagnant or declining incomes, some owners and renters are now paying more than they can afford on rent or mortgage and utilities. As the share of households struggling with housing costs rise, it becomes less likely that homeowners will have resources to maintain or improve their homes, and some residents may be vulnerable to homelessness.

Strategies (expand all)

Housing counseling Programs to help homeowners affordably purchase homes and avoid foreclosure can increase community stability.

Programs to help homeowners affordably purchase homes and avoid foreclosure can increase community stability. Although Submarket 4 communities were not the most severely affected by the 2008 housing crisis, effects of the crisis—in terms of foreclosures, distressed sales, and cash sales—still remain. To help owners confronting foreclosure and make sure new owners are taking out affordable, sustainable loans, Submarket 4 communities should strengthen connections with their local HUD-certified housing counseling agencies and encourage residents to seek counseling. Housing Action Illinois, the statewide housing counseling intermediary, can help communities identify appropriate counseling resources.

Preservation and expansion of affordable housing Supporting residents with affordable housing can help meet cost burden challenges.

Supporting residents with affordable housing can help meet cost burden challenges. Since the share of community members in Submarket 4 struggling to pay for housing is growing, municipalities should seek non-profit partners to develop permanent affordable housing options within their boundaries. In Submarket 4 communities, affordable ownership and apartment programs could both be valuable. Affordable homeownership programs help moderate-income residents purchase homes through grants and low-cost loans. Affordable apartments, on the other hand, create lower-rent options that consume a sustainable portion of low-income households’ income.

Submarket 2

Proximity of submarket 2 to submarkets 3 and 7 increase the potential for rapid change. Submarket 2 often abuts higher income or rapidly developing areas (i.e. submarkets 3 or 7). Market specialists think that the pressure on submarket 2 to change will not abate since these areas are often close-in with good job and transit access and a form attractive to many households.

Strategies (expand all)

Adaptive reuse Reusing existing buildings can help lower development costs and create affordable options.

Reusing existing buildings can help lower development costs and create affordable options. The age of the buildings in submarket 2, including the presence of large older industrial or commercial buildings, lends itself adaptive reuse, such as the Karcher Artspace Lofts in Waukegan.

Affordability through reduced parking Reducing parking requirements can help to keep housing costs attainable.

Reducing parking requirements can help to keep housing costs attainable. Providing parking costs money. Higher sales prices or rents must support those costs. The more parking required by the municipality, the more expensive the development. For communities looking to preserve affordability or help create new housing at more affordable prices, reducing or eliminating parking requirements can help. In Chicago, the Transit-Oriented Development Ordinance (TOD) reduces or eliminates parking requirements near transit while density bonuses for developers who take advantage of the provisions. Many believe that this requirement has helped amplify the rental development boom in strong markets like Logan Square and the West Loop, opening up previously undevelopable parcels for action. In Libertyville, developers can cash out their parking requirements, paying the village a fee in lieu of parking not provided on-site.

Community leadership Strong local community groups can help involve existing residents in guiding the future of their neighborhood.

Strong local community groups can help involve existing residents in guiding the future of their neighborhood. Local institutional infrastructure also plays an important role in helping manage neighborhood change. For example, the Pilsen Land Use Committee offers neighborhood residents a forum to discuss potential new developments. Its role as a respected partner by many local non-profits, institutions, and government officials ensures that it can both represent local views and be involved in the decision-making process.

Inclusionary zoning Communities can use strong markets to create affordable housing.

Communities can use strong markets to create affordable housing. Some parts of submarket 2 are already changing rapidly. Inclusionary zoning efforts naturally work well in strong markets, levering new market rate units to add affordable units too. Many communities in the region have adopted inclusionary zoning ordinances, including Chicago (ARO), Evanston, Highland Park, and Lake Forest.

Affordable requirements ordinance (ARO): Chicago adopted a new inclusionary housing ordinance in 2015. A number of stakeholders identified potential positives and negatives in the ARO. Yet, because the ordinance is so new, it remains to be seen how market rate developers will comply. Monitoring its implementation will help other communities understand whether it will serve as a model.

Land trusts Land trusts can provide affordable housing in perpetuity by owning land and leasing it to those who live in houses built on that land.

Land trusts can provide affordable housing in perpetuity by owning land and leasing it to those who live in houses built on that land. Land trusts, like those operating in Chicago and the North Shore, are often an effective tool in helping preserve currently affordable units due to a land trust’s unique ownership structure. When a land trust sells a unit to an owner, they only sell the improvements (i.e. the home), but not the land underneath. By selling only the improvements, the purchaser can pay far less for a home.

Preservation and expansion of affordable housing Preserving affordable housing options can help existing residents stay in changing neighborhoods.

Preserving affordable housing options can help existing residents stay in changing neighborhoods. Ensuring existing residents have an opportunity to remain even as a neighborhood changes requires dedicated programs to preserve low cost units. For example, Chicago passed the Single-room Occupancy Preservation Ordinance in 2014, highlighting the value of municipal intervention to preserve a targeted unit type. Similarly, the work in Albany Park highlights the value of targeted work by local non-profits to preserve units in areas on the cusp of rapid change.

Value of housing planning Using tools like Homes for a Changing Region can be valuable.

Using tools like Homes for a Changing Region can be valuable. Since the issues of greatest concern in submarket 2 neighborhoods depends heavily on the proximity of other submarkets and the strength of the market in those areas, local housing planning, such as that done through Homes for a Changing Region, is very valuable.

Submarket 2

How much a community focuses on housing issues in submarket 2 depends on context. Some communities focus on the housing issues in submarket 2 more than others. The emphasis likely depends on the mix of submarkets in a local community along with capacity. Municipalities with more vibrant housing markets or more distressed areas may not choose to focus on housing issues in this submarket, viewing it as stable.

Strategies (expand all)

Resource targeting Targeting resources can increase their impact.

Targeting resources can increase their impact. Submarket 2 neighborhoods often attract funding to address local issues because of evidence of distress, like more foreclosures and high levels of cost burden. To ensure those resources maximize impact, communities, program operators, and funders should explore how to work closely in targeting those resources, as was done by Evanston with its Neighborhood Stabilization Program or Chicago with its Micro-Market Recovery Program.

Value of housing planning Using tools like Homes for a Changing Region can be valuable.

Using tools like Homes for a Changing Region can be valuable. Since the issues of greatest concern in submarket 2 neighborhoods depends heavily on the proximity of other submarkets and the strength of the market in those areas, local housing planning, such as that done through Homes for a Changing Region, is very valuable.

Submarket 2

Rehab programs may be underutilized. In response to deferred maintenance and code issues, many organizations operate housing rehabilitation programs. Yet, these programs are not always heavily used. The cost of bringing a unit up to code may exceed available funding, limiting the utility of the program to local residents. On the other hand, in some areas of Submarket 2, market pressures may make rehab more financially feasible.

Strategies (expand all)

Approach to rehabilitation Municipal rehab programs can help certain residents address issues of deferred property maintenance.

Municipal rehab programs can help certain residents address issues of deferred property maintenance. Municipalities, counties, and non-profits have developed many different models for how to operate local rehabilitation programs. The key to success is choosing a structure that matches the size and scope of the code issues in the targeted community and matches the financial condition of building owners. Read more about the many different models of rehabilitation programs in the region.

Submarket 4

The age and condition of homes may be a barrier to redevelopment, despite other advantages. Moderate home values in Submarket 4 have an effect on resources available to renovate properties both for existing homeowners and potential in-movers. If the value of a renovated home at sale is lower than the investment required to perform desired renovations, bank capital for rehabilitation may be limited. Public sector partners can help bridge this gap with low-cost loans and grants for rehabilitation. However, even where available, these programs are not always widely used when the cost of renovations greatly exceeds the amount of individual assistance available.

Strategies (expand all)

Approach to rehabilitation Municipal rehab programs can help certain residents address issues of deferred property maintenance.

Municipal rehab programs can help certain residents address issues of deferred property maintenance. Municipalities in Submarket 4 may consider developing rehab grant or loan programs for certain income-qualified homeowners. Many municipalities around the region have developed these programs, some with the support of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding (Oak Park, Evanston) and others through their own municipal sources (East Dundee). Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc. (NLS) offers fixed-rate home improvement loans in certain areas of the region and municipalities in these areas should assist NLS with marketing to residents. Municipalities may also want to consider partnering with local banks to explore the development of a rehab financing product for their residents. Read more about the many different models of rehabilitation programs in the region.

Meeting the needs of aging residents As the region ages, it is critical for communities to address the housing needs of older adults.

As the region ages, it is critical for communities to address the housing needs of older adults. Many homeowners in Submarket 4 are aging and in need of high-quality housing options that fit their current stage in life. Submarket 4 communities may want to explore grant programs for aging-in-place that provide updates like bathroom grab bars that help older home owners stay in their homes. In addition, federally subsidized apartment buildings limited to seniors can provide important options for older residents on a fixed income. Finally, allowing higher-density residential development in Submarket 4 downtowns can help provide apartment and condo options for downsizing seniors to remain in the community.

Submarket 2

Units may be changing from owner-occupied to renter-occupied. In some ways, the change in tenure is beneficial: the market is finding ways to ensure that foreclosed units do not remain vacant. Yet, the change in tenure can have many impacts. More rental units may challenge the ability of communities to effectively monitor and manage the local rental stock due to the rapid increase in the number of rental units. Such changes may also signal financing challenges, leaving potential owners as renters.

Strategies (expand all)

Rental unit monitoring and regulation Effective municipal regulation, coupled with pro-active strategies and incentives, can improve rental quality and reduce problems.

Effective municipal regulation, coupled with pro-active strategies and incentives, can improve rental quality and reduce problems. With the number of rental properties in submarket 2, municipalities need to review the structure of their rental unit monitoring and regulation efforts to make sure that they are effectively maintaining the quality of the local rental stock in accordance with state law. Municipalities may want to consider implementing a performance-based rental regulation ordinance such as the one in place in the Village of Addison. Municipalities may also want to point owners of multifamily rental property to the abundance of resources at the Community Investment Corporation (CIC) for financing, energy efficiency, and property management training. Learn about best practice rental regulation strategies.