W E D N E S D A Y
September 4, 2024 Vol. 45, No. 10
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JOURNAL @oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
Civic Engagement REPORT BY AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ, PAGE 14
Austin Coming Together INSIDE
Ways to grow affordable housing in Oak Park
Trustees debate how to motivate developers to address the shortage By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ
OPRF students gather in the Little Theater to hear from local leaders during the Civics Service Learning Fair.
Among Oak Park’s top goals is growing affordable housing opportunities. That’s why in 2019 the village board adopted an inclusionary housing ordinance. And it’s why on Aug. 27 the board reviewed staff recommendations on how to strengthen the ordinance. To do that, the board could expand the geography covered by the ordinance, offer developers additional incentives for including affordable rental units in larger projects and/or increase the fees charged to developers who would rather pay into the village’s affordable housing fund instead of building affordable units. The staff proposal was brought to the board for discussion and direction. It led to a spirited conversation among trustees about the shared goal of adding more affordable housing options. Trustee Cory Wesley said he thinks the current inSee HOUSING on page 12