Proposed Chicago Ordinance Would Promote Affordable Housing Near Transit

An ordinance proposed by Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration would encourage more transit-oriented development in the city. As John Greenfield writes in Streetsblog Chicago, “Equitable transit-oriented development – building generous amounts of affordable housing near rapid and/or high-frequency public transportation – is a powerful tool to reduce both segregation and car-dependency.” The Connected Communities Ordinance “builds on the city’s 2020 Equitable Transit Oriented Development Policy Plan, which outlined a comprehensive set of actions for officials to take over the next three years,” but the proposal faces opposition in City Council.

“While Streetsblog has been told city staffers are not allowed to share the latest draft of the ordinance, The Daily Line reported that Connected Communities includes almost a dozen measures to encourage transit-friendly housing and walkable streets near stations,” Greenfield reports. The ordinance would ease permitting for affordable housing developments and two- and three-flat housing near transit. “While Chicago typically requires a minimum number of car parking spots at new developments, according to The Daily Line the draft ordinance also included Chicago’s first parking maximum, a limit of no more than one space for every two apartments or condos.”

The ordinance has not yet been introduced to the city council. “Lightfoot recently explained that the legislation needs some more edits before it’s ready for its close-up.”