Lake County Gazette

Lake County has announced a collaboration with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and Schreiber Philanthropy to enhance affordable housing in the region, aiming to bolster economic growth.

According to a press release, Schreiber Philanthropy has awarded CMAP a grant to work alongside Lake County in developing housing solutions that focus on affordability and accessibility. This initiative will launch a 12-month technical assistance process to establish a Housing Task Force comprising municipalities across the county. The task force will evaluate available tools and resources to address housing challenges, ultimately producing a Housing Ready toolkit with specific strategies aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing.

The initiative also plans to engage stakeholders in identifying challenges and resources, with an intention to host a housing summit next year to foster community support. A 2023 study by Lake County underscored the necessity for diverse housing options to attract residents and workers, aligning with the ON TO 2050 plan’s focus on developing housing near transit hubs to improve access to jobs, education, and services.

Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said, "While we continue to advocate for housing support at the state and federal level in an environment of funding uncertainty, tackling the housing crisis at the local level in Lake County requires a multi-pronged approach involving a team effort." Hart further mentioned that "the high costs of construction, land use regulations and other impediments are restricting our local housing supply," emphasizing that various stakeholders have roles in reducing these barriers. She added that "the Coalition is bringing us together to develop long-term strategies to meet this urgent crisis."

The Lake County Board comprises 19 elected members representing different districts and is tasked with approving the county budget, financial matters, and ordinances affecting government departments. Meetings are held both in person at the County Administrative Tower in Waukegan or remotely via Zoom. Schedules and agendas are accessible online, with regular sessions convened monthly along with additional committee meetings viewable live on LCTV.