Emotions are on the rise in Wilmette over a developer's plan to build an affordable housing unit near the
intersection of Wilmette Avenue and Ridge Road where the American Legion Post now stands (1925 Wilmette Ave.) Emotions both for and cautiously against.
The development was requested by the Housing Opportunity Development Corp. (HODC), a non-profit in Northbrook that manages and develops affordable housing for low and moderate income people. The proposed building would house ten studios and ten one-bedroom units of 529-568 sq. ft. each. Four would be reserved for people with disabilities, and four for veterans.
Rents would range from $335 to $615 per month and be open to households in the income range of $30,000 to $35,000 annually.
Wilmette Plan Commissioners met November 3 at the Wilmette Village Hall to a packed room of 120 people with 40 of them speaking either pro or con on the project.
Wilmette residents with concerns worried about:
- the lowering of nearby property values
- possible crime
- too big a project for the space
- negatively affecting traffic
- the developer not prioritizing Wilmette seniors first
- being located in an area without transportation
- safety
Many in the group who supported affordable housing still felt that the project was not a good fit for Wilmette because it is targeting mainly singles who may not settle in the community. They felt a family-oriented project would better serve children who could attend Wilmette's excellent schools.
Many residents came prepared to defend and support the project. One resident mentioned that an earlier affordable housing building in east Wilmette had also ruffled up concerns about safety - none of which have transpired.
Richard Koenig, executive director of HODC spoke to the group and emphasized that "We are not just doing this for ourselves and the company. We are doing this for the larger community."
Other pro-affordable housing residents made favorable comments:
- "I rise in favor of this project."
- "I am in favor of this development."
- "There is nobody here that doesn't support affordable housing."
The last sentiment is true - who can really say they are against affordable housing. For many Wilmette residents, it's all in the details.
Additional reading on Wilmette Affordable Housing
Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (website)
Wilmette Affordable Housing Project Draws Crowd
Wilmette Affordable Housing Plan Draws Passionate Crowd
Wilmette Plan Commission: Affordable Housing Proposal Discussed at Packed Meeting
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