Jefferson Park affordable housing advocates aren’t giving up

Neighborhood news

• While Full Circle Communities still has to apply for and get a zoning change approval, some residents who want more affordable housing in Jefferson Park are maintaining their resolve to fight racist and segregationist opposition to FCC’s housing proposal. Also, a history of housing fights in the neighborhood (Chicago Reader)
• The group of residents, called Neighbors for Affordable Housing in Jefferson Park, held a panel last week. One finding? The 100 units in that FCC proposal would barely make a dent in the number of people (about 3,500) in Jefferson Park and Portage Park who need more affordable housing than what they currently live in (DNAinfo)
• 👆 Okay, last one about the Jefferson Park housing situation…Chicago Magazine also published an article about last week’s panel, and presented part of it in an interview format that’s really easy to read.
• The Wall Street Journal talked to Sterling Bay, the (likely) majority property owner in the North Branch Industrial Corridor (map) about the area’s future life as…not an industrial corridor. And they used one of our drone photos from the site.
• 🏠 A new study from UCLA and USC researchers finds that for every 10% increase in rentals on Airbnb, the rent goes up 0.39% and house prices go up 0.64% National Low Income Housing Coalition)
• Nearly 25 percent of the 199 houses sold in Chatham (map) in the last 12 months have been rehabs, a study from Crain’s finds, and it’s “stabilizing Chatham again”.

Events next week

• Tuesday, 8/22, forum on transit-oriented development, sponsored by Greater Rockwell Organization, Northcenter Neighborhood Association, and Northside Neighbors, DANK Haus (4740 N Western Ave) (details)
• Wednesday, 8/23, panel and group discussions around Community Engagement and Advocacy in Woodlawn, sponsored by WTTW, at the YWCA (1 N LaSalle) (details)
• Wednesday, 8/23, another forum on Transit-Oriented Development, sponsored by Rogers Park Business Alliance, at the Chicago Math & Science Academy (7212 N. Clark) (details)