Our analysis on housing4all — Evanston's strategic housing plan

What’s Strong 

1. Clear Goals & Metrics 
   The plan sets measurable goals (e.g., reduce cost burden, preserve/create 3,000–5,000 housing units, reduce segregation/income/race/net worth variation by census tract). This gives accountability. 
2. Data‐Driven Gap Analysis 
   The Housing Gap Analysis provides detailed info: cost burdens, income / race disparities, senior population projections, home price data. This well supports urgency and targeting.  
3. Comprehensive Strategy Mix 
   Strategies cover a broad set: preservation (NOAH, rehab, land trusts), creation (ADUs, inclusionary housing, zoning updates), and protection (anti-displacement, just-cause eviction, rental registration). Good to see multi‐pronged approach.  
4. Attention to Equity & Displacement 
   Strong acknowledgement that cost burden disproportionately impacts people of color, low-income, renters. Emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations, including seniors, etc. 
5. Feedback Opportunities 
   There’s a feedback period (Sep–Oct 2025), and plan includes dashboards / monitoring. That is good for community engagement and accountability.   

Areas That Could Be Strengthened 

1. By‐Right / Zoning Reform Language Needs More Clarity 
   The plan says, “update the zoning code to facilitate housing development and allow different housing types” (creation strategies) but does not clearly require by-right development or mandate removing discretionary barriers. Without specifying by-right, projects may still face delays or opposition.  
2. Conditional / Exploratory Language Can Delay Action 
   Several strategies are phrased as “explore,” “support policies,” or “expand where feasible,” which can lead to delay without firm commitment. For example, “explore instituting a housing impact fee,” “explore local hospital housing investment partnership,” etc. If not backed with timelines or minimum thresholds, these may stall.  
3. Preservation vs. New Supply — Balance Needs Strengthening 
   While the plan has robust preservation strategies, it may under‐emphasize how much new affordable, especially deeply affordable (<50% AMI), supply is needed. Many renters below 30–50% AMI are cost-burdened; the plan should be more explicit about how many units in those levels will be created and preserved. 
4. Geographic / Neighborhood Specificity 
   The needs by census tract are clearly identified, but strategies sometimes read citywide without specificity. E.g., which wards or tracts will get priority for ADU programs, NOAH preservation, etc. This specificity helps targeting and builds trust. 
5. Accountability
   The plan has a section on oversight, but it could strengthen around who owns each strategy (which department, which partner orgs), what budget is needed, and penalties or triggers if goals are not met.
6. Implementation 
   The implementation plan should expand upon the goals outlined in the Executive Summary with numeric, time-bound targets for both preservation and creation of housing. This includes annual benchmarks (e.g., number of units to be preserved and created per year), quantified needs assessments for preservation, rental assistance, and anti-displacement funds. In addition, the plan should identify immediate opportunities for development, package them for developers, and outline the incentives the City will provide. With numeric measures and sequencing, Evanston can align efforts, secure adequate funding, and track progress toward the 3,000–5,000 unit goal in a transparent, accountable way.
7. Firm Strategies
   The strategies should move from broad ideas to concrete, action-oriented commitments. Each should clearly outline the steps the City intends to take, along with measurable goals. Overall, strategies should reflect intentional action, not just ideas, with timelines and accountability built in.

Suggested Edits & Additions 

• Add direct language for “by‐right development” in the zoning‐update strategy. Make it more than “allow different housing types” — prescribe that certain housing types (e.g., multi‐unit, ADUs, townhouses) are permitted by‐right under specified conditions. 
• Create a neighborhood prioritization plan: Use the census-tract data to prioritize specific areas for preservation, expansion, and anti‐displacement measures. Include a map or ward‐level strategy. 
• Timeline with Milestones: For each strategy, include when action begins, mid/long‐term milestones i.e., pilot programs, legislation, code changes, etc. 

Sample Suggested Comments Advocates Could Utilize 

• “We strongly support the preservation strategies laid out in the plan, especially NOAH and extending affordability covenants. We also urge that creation strategies include explicit mandates for by‐right housing in all residential districts to reduce delay and uncertainty.” 
• “We suggest a map or ward‐level priority list be included to ensure preservation, anti‐displacement, and new supply are deployed in neighborhoods with highest need, as identified by cost‐burden and racial income disparity data.” ​
• “While many “explore” strategies are promising, we recommend firm deadlines and minimum commitments for key policy changes (impact fee, just‐cause eviction) so these do not languish in study phase indefinitely.”