Dear Winnetka Village Council,
I'm writing on the issue of affordable housing. Recently, the One Winnetka housing project was passed by your votes. One thing that stood out about this project was that it's $4000 per unit. Is this really affordable? In the article "What is Affordable Housing?" By Open Communities, a nonprofit organization to push North Shore communities to have affordable housing. They say, "Housing is considered affordable when a family or individual pays no more than 30% of their gross income to live in their unit". In other terms, at least 30% of someone's total earnings that year would be seen as affordable. For an example, my teacher makes $127,000 per year. After we deducted the federal tax. He would be left with a net income of $92,000. Then divide that by 12 months and his monthly net income would be about $7,666. If we take 30% of his monthly income that would total out to be $2,299. Basically, he would be spending around half of what the One Winnetka unit prices. Personally I think teachers, doctors and etc... Should be able to live in the community that they work in. Teachers would have more time to help students. Doctors would be able to get to work quicker. When there is an emergency. Also, affordable housing doesn't affect the community. Though the owner would make a bit less. The people still will have to pay taxes.
The Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act requires that the North Shores to have 10% of its houses to be affordable. Gail Schecter a former executive manager of Open Communities. She wrote a letter to the One Winnetka developer (David Trandell). She says, “Include at least 15% of all units as affordable under the definition of the Illinois Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. She is asking that 15% of each unit cost should go towards the Affordable housing law. The bar graph seen below shows that Winnetka has only 2.5% affordable housing. If her idea followed through, the affordable housing percentage would go up.
I believe affordable housing is a great law and other communities should be at the 10% requirement. Having different cultures in our communities can help create diversity. And it will help us grow our communities.
From your concerned Wilmette resident,
Endre