A recent report by the DePaul University Institute for Housing Studies finds the number of two-flats, three-flats, and four-flats in quick decline among the residential building stock of Chicago.
Mary Schmich writes:
Over a meager span of years, from 2010 to 2016, the city lost 20,000 homes in two-flats, three-flats and four-flats, those classic buildings, typically brick, that have defined Chicago’s look and feel for more than a century.
According to Schmich, there are vital reasons to worry about the declining number of these class Chicago residential units.
The demolition of these old buildings, as noted in a recent report by DePaul University’s Institute for Housing Studies, is changing the city’s character. Affordable housing gets far harder to find. Middle-class and working-class people are priced out. Neighborhoods become less diverse.
After imparting those realities, the article addresses more of her personal attachment to these buildings, and some of the experiences that can only be earned by living in a walk up.
For more traditional news coverage of the decline of two-flats in Chicago, see an article by Tanveer Ali from April 2018, which reported on the details of the "2018 State of Rental Housing in Cook County" report by DePaul University’s Institute of Housing Studies (IHS), which lays outs the data at the center of this news. IHS was also tracking the issue in 2017.
FULL STORY: Chicago's two-flats and three-flats are vanishing — so is the art of living at the top of the stairs
Chicago’s ‘Teardown Tax’ Slowing the Loss of Two-Flats
A demolition fee designed to preserve affordable housing in older buildings has had some impact on the city’s housing supply.
Chicago's Disappearing Multi-Unit Buildings
The city is seeing a rapid loss of its signature two-, three-, and four-flat residential buildings, which historically served as affordable housing for working-class families.
ADU Ordinance Ready for City Council Scrutiny in Chicago
Chicago residents will have the option of building coach houses or convection units if a new law passes as written through the Chicago City Council.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions