Planning: Housing

Working to help provide our region with more affordable housing

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) engages in local planning and policy work to encourage housing development that meets the needs of all our residents. Affordable housing — particularly rental options — are not available in all parts of our seven-county region, which creates a systemic imbalance between job centers and where people live.

ON TO 2050, the long-range plan for northeastern Illinois, emphasizes the importance of having a variety of housing options. It recommends housing development strategies located near transit to support access to jobs, education, healthcare, and services. It also anticipates population shifts — like aging and migration — and the different housing needs that accompany these changes.

Expanding housing choice

More than 70 percent of northeastern Illinois residents expressed concern about the costs and types of housing available. Our region needs expanded housing choice, with good, affordable, and accessible options that connect people to jobs and services.

As more communities look to expand housing types, they may consider accessory dwelling units (ADUs). An ADU is a separate, self-contained living space located on the same property as a primary residence. They’re also called granny flats, coach houses, and in-law suites. They can be created in areas such as backyards, basements, and attics. 

Local municipalities also need to support aging in place, so residents can stay in their homes and communities as they grow older and become a larger share of the population. And an analysis of impediments to fair housing provided recommendations to expanding access to areas of opportunity.

Local Housing Profiles

Explore a curated set of housing market data for every county, municipality, and Chicago community area in northeastern Illinois, created by CMAP in collaboration with the DePaul University Institute for Housing Studies. Each profile includes a set of tables that present the latest data on a community’s housing demand, supply, and affordability, along with regional trends for both renters and owners.

Housing technical assistance

Through the technical assistance program, CMAP works with eligible municipalities to provide technical assistance to develop housing readiness plans that diversify housing supply to better meet residents’ needs. Through these plans, communities can address regulatory barriers such as policy and code changes; identify strategic locations for future housing development; and build critical partnerships and communication tools.

Housing readiness in Kane County

Policies and regulations make it difficult to create different types of housing. Through the housing readiness process, CMAP works hand-in-hand with local leaders to identify barriers to housing development and create solutions to remove them. The Kane County Board approved a plan that addresses a growing demand for housing. The work to address the need looks different for each community. Learn about the Kane County Housing Readiness Action Plan and what it means to be housing ready.

Housing Lake County

Housing and economic vitality are interconnected. CMAP and Lake County — with support from Schreiber Philanthropy — have partnered to advance solutions that address local housing challenges and identify opportunities to increase supply throughout the region.

Municipalities around the region are working to help their residents age in place. They do this through actions like updating building codes to improve accessibility, creating guides to aging in place, launching housing collaboratives, and establishing commissions on aging in place.

More than 70 communities have worked through the Homes for a Changign Region program to identify housing challenge, create a balanced mix of housing types, and serve the needs of multiple generations of residents and workers.

The City of Chicago has made it easier for many homeowners and developers to create additional living spaces in their homes. In 2026, the City Council amended the municipal code to allow more ADUs, nearly tripling the number of parcels eligible for them. Owners of residential single-family zoned properties can check to see whether ADUs are allowed.

The Chicago City Council also voted to eliminate mandatory parking minimums for many areas near public transit. Parking requirements can act as an obstacle to new housing developments. When developers are required to provide parking spaces, it allows less space for housing. It also can be more costly for developers. Off-street parking is no longer required for developments within 2,640 feet of a CTA rail station or 1,320 feet of a high-volume CTA bus line. It does not apply in all areas, including downtown districts.