Housing is a human right.​

Joining Forces for Affordable Housing envisions a community where affordable housing is not only welcomed but demanded by the community and prioritized and integrated into all levels of community planning, development, and provisions of services so everyone has housing that meets their basic needs.

What is affordable Housing?

Affordable Housing is housing (including utilities) that costs no more than 30% of your monthly income.

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What is Area median income?

Area Median Income or AMI is the average income level within a particular region, where half the households in the area make more and half the households make less.​​ 

The AMI for Chicago metro area is $112,100. The chart below breaks down how affordable rent differs across income — at a range of percentages of AMI — for a family of four. For more information on AMI and check out Housing and Urban Development's page on income levels. 

New housing developments with affordable units will describe who they're affordable for by using AMI. Currently, Evanston's Inclusionary Housing Ordinance requires units to be affordable to those at 60% of the AMI. 

Housing Supply vs Need

Throughout 2024, only 9% of all available rentals in Evanston cost less than $1,500; meaning that the 30% of Evanston households that make less than $60,000 are forced to compete for the small amount of affordable units, face housing cost burden or displacement. 

35% of households in Evanston pay more than 30% of their income on housing. 

30% of households across Northwest Cook County pay more than 30% of their income on housing. 

29% of households in Lake County pay more than 30% of their income on housing. 

Housing Cost Burden

When a household spends more than 30% of their income on housing, the household is housing cost burdened.

When a household spends more than 50% of their income on housing, the household is extremely housing cost burdened.
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Households with the most housing cost burden have the lowest incomes, with annual salaries that are below $35,000.

​We advocate for housing at a full range of costs to meet the needs of our community.

What are the costs?

Housing cost burden creates scarcity, forcing people to worry most about meeting basic needs: food, water, shelter, safety, etc. 

Over time, the stress of scarcity affects one’s ability to function— negatively impacting people's health and ability to perform at work which could lead to loss of employment. 

Losing a source of income can lead to people losing their homes via foreclosures and evictions, which can damage their credit, deplete any savings, and eventually lead to housing insecurity.