Reminder: multifamily buildings are BANNED in most of Chicago. As long as our leaders choose not to legalize more density: -fewer families can afford to stay -marginalized groups won’t be able to move here from Republican states -native ecosystems will get ripped up for suburban housing

Chicago Cityscape@chicagocityscape.com · last mo.

since this map was published over four years ago here's the change in where Chicago still *bans* apartments, condos, and affordable housing: March 2022: 40.7% August 2026: 38.9, a reduction of 1.8 points 👏🏼 [August 2026 🗺️ attached]

A candidate for alderman asked me to provide them with background reading on housing, and it turned into quite a list! I enjoyed putting it together, so I thought I'd also share it here. I've organized into three categories: describing the problem, describing solutions, and partnership solutions 🧵

Our city is once again facing a contentious budget season, but it doesn't have to be this way. Our government could legalize more homes, bringing the cost of living down for everyone while growing the total tax base. citythatworks.substack.com/p/budget-tal...

Budget Talks are Missing One Key Option

Importantly, an option completely in City Council’s control

citythatworks.substack.com

A City That Works@acitythatworks.bsky.social · 3d ago

With Chicago facing a projected $85.1 million budget shortfall this year, harder decisions will likely be necessary to balance the budget by December, even with the city’s risky decision to refinance bonds last week. citythatworks.substack.com/p/the-bond-s...

Unfortunate news that the gap created by last year's Alternative Budget cannot be closed by refinancing. We cannot repeat the same mistakes as last year of brinkmanship or relying on questionable assumptions and one-time gimmicks. And this year, we must scrutinize all proposals.

A City That Works@acitythatworks.bsky.social · 3d ago

With Chicago facing a projected $85.1 million budget shortfall this year, harder decisions will likely be necessary to balance the budget by December, even with the city’s risky decision to refinance bonds last week. citythatworks.substack.com/p/the-bond-s...

How you can help out: - write a letter to ZLBS@cityofchicago.org elucidating the benefits of SROs and their current importance in Chicago - show up on Tuesday morning at 10 AM and speak for 2 minutes in support of SROs

SRO’s are a really important lower rung of housing. we need to make them easier to build, or more people will end up on the streets. see the OG thread for actions you can take at city council, and spread the word!

Abundant Housing Illinois@abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 3d ago

we're looking for members to support *more* SROs, not fewer. Ald. Dowell introduced O2026-0027579, which would mean SROs are no longer permitted in specific residential zoning districts. While no new SROs are proposed, this makes housing harder to build.

we're looking for members to support *more* SROs, not fewer. Ald. Dowell introduced O2026-0027579, which would mean SROs are no longer permitted in specific residential zoning districts. While no new SROs are proposed, this makes housing harder to build.

Chicago's Zoning Committee meets Tue., Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. On the agenda: - a new "TOD streets" policy + designation for Western and Ravenswood - making it harder to build SROs - 38 rezonings, including 78 homes at Oak & Larrabee. Email comments/letters to ZLBS@cityofchicago.org by 8 AM tomorrow

Sierra Club is proud to support Shape Oak Park, a bold new plan to end single-family-only zoning and add environmentally-friendly, gentle housing density near transit Here are five reasons why:

Alderwoman Taylor shared a map of votes for the proposed 9 new affordable homes at 6034 S Wabash, with 8 eligible votes in favor and 4 opposed. The alderwoman has stated the vote did not receive enough participation, and will return for a new RFP and community meeting process next year.

McKie's Disc Jockey Show Lounge@mckiesdjlounge.bsky.social · 5d ago

In my ward, NIMBY is disguised as community vote.

In my ward, NIMBY is disguised as community vote.

It's possible to have public infrastructure that actually serves the public. While in Taipei in February I stopped at a public restroom in the nearby subway station while traveling between bars with friends. It was before the fare gate and easily accessible.

Anthony Moser@anthonymoser.com · 6d ago

24/7 all gender public bathrooms public as in "free" public as in "anyone" public as in "does not require an app to poop"

Come to our happy hour this week! It’s on Wednesday and in support of Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, candidate for 48th Ward alderperson

Abundant Housing Illinois + Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth for 48th October Happy Hour and Fundraiser

Join Abundant Housing Illinois for our monthly happy hour on the patio at Beard & Belly (6157 N Broadway) on Wednesday, October 7 — this month doubling as a…

zeffy.com

I think a lot about how we currently live in the utopia imagined by the dreadful midcentury lawmakers who wrote codes like this—dominated by cars and highways, neighborhoods sapped of people and commerce, everything segregated to oblivion—and how we can and should put all their ideas in the trash

Daniel Kay Hertz@danielkayhertz.bsky.social · last wk.

Obviously I’m entirely made of Housing but a real good zoning reform we could make is re-legalizing corner stores on residential streets. Banned by the same 1957 code that banned ADUs, so maybe that’s next

I think we should start by erasing most everything from that 1957 code

Daniel Kay Hertz@danielkayhertz.bsky.social · last wk.

Obviously I’m entirely made of Housing but a real good zoning reform we could make is re-legalizing corner stores on residential streets. Banned by the same 1957 code that banned ADUs, so maybe that’s next

The code doesn't even need to specify 'corner'. That's where they make the most sense so that's mostly where they get built

Daniel Kay Hertz@danielkayhertz.bsky.social · last wk.

Obviously I’m entirely made of Housing but a real good zoning reform we could make is re-legalizing corner stores on residential streets. Banned by the same 1957 code that banned ADUs, so maybe that’s next

There's a really nice existing symmetry if we start allowing business in residential zones too: combining RS+B1, RT+B2, and RM+B3. It's not perfect but it generally creates a rising staircase of impact, allowing more business uses in areas with more allowed housing density.

omg we have to get rid of the front setback requirement forcing people to have little front lawns is pretty dumb

Obviously I’m entirely made of Housing but a real good zoning reform we could make is re-legalizing corner stores on residential streets. Banned by the same 1957 code that banned ADUs, so maybe that’s next

Stan Oklobdzija@stano.bsky.social · last wk.

This is why I'm so in favor of accessory commercial units. Just getting people in the US used to **walking** for a cup of coffee or a sandwich in the neighborhood may finally do something to rid Americans of our terminal car brain.

The South Chicago Land Use Framework is open for feedback until next Friday, 10/9, before the draft's presentation to the Plan Commission for potential adoption. The plan recommends mixed-use and multi-family zoning to align with the neighborhood's established uses. www.chicago.gov/city/en/dept...

✅ Pro-housing policy = anti-poverty strategy New Pew research makes it plain to see and names 10 states where fixing the housing shortage would significantly reduce poverty. 📉

Where High Rents Drive People Into Poverty

A new study identified 10 locations where higher-than-average housing costs have impacted poverty the most.

nytimes.com

Abundant Housing Illinois is proud to endorse Bennett Lawson in his re-election campaign for Chicago's City Council. Bennett has been an advocate for pro-housing and pro-transit policy and worked tirelessly to advance sustainable, community-enriching measures, such as the legalization of ADUs.

Lawson is one of the exceedingly few  incumbents in Chicago who has actually introduced and passed housing supply legislation 

Abundant Housing Illinois@abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 3w ago

Abundant Housing Illinois is proud to endorse Bennett Lawson in his re-election campaign for Chicago's City Council. Bennett has been an advocate for pro-housing and pro-transit policy and worked tirelessly to advance sustainable, community-enriching measures, such as the legalization of ADUs.

This is the sort of development we should be encouraging across our city. Childcare and housing are both becoming more expensive in Chicago, we need more of them. This woman wants to create both - that should be celebrated by the city! Instead her alderman is trying to crush her local investment.

Michael McLean@michaelmclean.me · 3w ago

The zoning committee is live. This public commenter said she just got a type 1 zoning change last year to B2-3 in order to build a mixed use daycare with housing on top that she would live in. Shes invested 150k into the project She's saying that the alderman is trying to downzone the property now!

swipe through to read the full statement here, or read the PDF version: shorturl.at/0ogfP

Housing supply and tenant's rights go together like Old Style and Malört. The best housing policy out right now is BUILD. The best tenants rights policy out right now is mostly PRO. Aldermen and the Mayor should push both.

it’s our annual membership month! now's a good time to join the movement to end the housing shortage and make it so Chicago doesn't have the fastest growing rents 📈➡️📉 join now or read on to learn about the perks: abundanthousingillinois.org/join/

Reminder: TONIGHT Come support a pro-housing champion, Patrick Gilsenan, for the 32nd ward (Bucktown, Hamlin Park, Roscoe Village, West Lakeview)

Abundant Housing Illinois@abundanthousingil.bsky.social · last mo.

Our September housing happy hour is on Tuesday, Sept 15 — 6–8 PM on the patio at Southport Betty's. Come meet Patrick Gilsenan (32nd Ward candidate) and hear from Drake Warren. Free food, free RSVP, and we're fundraising for Patrick. RSVP: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

A great antidote to all the doomerism and "nothing matters" is getting out there and doing stuff, and it's surprising how few people it can take to make a difference

YIMBY Action@yimbyaction.bsky.social · last mo.

What if there was something YOU could do to help bring more abundant housing to your neighborhood? 🏠 It takes people willing to get active, speak up, and fight for more homes in their communities. Join the movement.👇 https://yimbyaction.pulse.ly/53ucfeqy3g

Our @dvillalobos.bsky.social quoted. @abundanthousingil.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/...

Construction to start soon at long vacant LeClaire Courts site on Southwest Side

With ample government backing, developers are set to start a $119 million first phase along Cicero Avenue.

chicago.suntimes.com