ADU Proposal: Will this “compromise” help Chicagoans

THIS "COMPROMISE" WILL NOT ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF HELPING CHICAGOANS

Our efforts to increase affordable and stable housing options for Chicagoans by legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) is facing an ever-growing campaign that will not provide affordable, stable homes for our teachers, first responders, laborers, and young professionals.

From securing passage of the pilot program in 2021 and an expansive ordinance out of the city council's Zoning Committee this July, our goal has been clear: increase home affordability by increasing the housing supply.

Unfortunately, the campaign against citywide ADUs in the last few weeks is severely limiting that goal. Aldermen seeking the right to "opt in" to the program, and overly-restrict the way property owners can build units on their own land, are also seeking to deny housing access.

This "compromise" fails to take a variety of legal implications into account and fails to bring immediate relief to Chicagoans struggling with rising costs. It limits private property rights to the extent that we cannot support it as an association.

But our fight to address the housing crisis is not over. REALTORS® will continue to advocate for sensible zoning reform in city halls and the State Capitol.

We will be providing more information ahead of the next City Council meeting this coming Thursday, September 25th.