Hamilton Habitat, Inc.

Working to build workforce housing

An example of an affordable housing project – Image courtesy of Hamilton Habitat, Inc.

If you type “housing” in the search bar on the WTIP website, hundreds of archived stories will pop up. Housing has been a topic of discussion in board meetings of every branch of local government for decades. It seems we all know someone who wants to live and work in Cook County, but can’t find a home.

As government entities consider ways to help create housing—through zoning changes, possible tax breaks for developers, and the establishment of a Housing Redevelopment Authority—there are small projects happening now.

Some community members have seen the need for housing and have done something about it. WTIP is reaching out to some of these builders and developers to learn more about some small projects that have been done.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence asks for their definition of affordability. What are the obstacles to building housing? What has been helpful?

In this series of interviews we’ll share what we’ve learned.

March 4, 2022

Cook County woman gets creative to address local housing crunch

As government entities consider ways to help create housing—through zoning changes, possible tax breaks for developers and the establishment of a Housing Redevelopment Authority—there are small projects happening now.

Some community members have seen the need for housing and have done something about it. WTIP is reaching out to some builders and developers to learn more about some small projects that have been done. In this latest Working to build workforce housing interview, we talk to Vicki Biggs Anderson, a private homeowner who got really creative in her efforts to help find solutions to the need for housing.

Here’s Rhonda Silence with more.