Equitable Zoning Reform Campaign
 
​Together, we can Make Affordability the Plan. Reform the Zoning Code. Let’s Make Evanston E-Z-R (“Easier”) for Everyone.  ​

Our Recommendations on Evanston's Strategic Housing Plan — Housing4All

We need your help — Fill out the City's feedback form on Housing4All by October 12 to show the city we support housing strategies that will

1. Preserve affordable housing units
2. Create new housing units to address gaps in the supply
​3. Protect residents from displacement.

Use our guidebook as you fill out the form to understand the city's proposed policies and programs listed and to see what responses housing advocates recommend.

Check out our high-level analysis of Housing4All's strengths and weaknesses here: ​

Analysis of
​Housing4Alll

Guidebook

Housing4all draft plan

We Need Your Help — ​Get Involved! 

Pick one—or several—and help make a difference! ​

Speak out

▶  Attend a City Council meeting with us

​Stand with neighbors to demand action on affordable housing. You can bring your friends and family, the more, the merrier! We will reach out to schedule a prep meeting to ensure you feel comfortable and prepared. 

Events

▶  Send an email to your council member

​Tell them Evanston needs more affordable housing. 

Who is my council member?

Council list
and ​Ward map

Learn more

▶ Attend a Joining Forces Evanston meeting

Collaborate and plan how to take action and speak out.

Joining Forces Evanston Meeting
5:30-7PM
Every 2nd Thursday of the month

Email us

▶ Join us for a zoning workshop 

​Learn how zoning affects housing and how you can advocate for change. 

▶ Let us facilitate a meeting for your community 

​Are you part of a book club, a faith community, or a community organization that would be interested in learning more about how to make Evanston a more equitable place to live? We’ll help you share information and build support.​

Email us

Stay updated​

▶ Sign up for the Joining Forces Newsletter ​

Get monthly updates on how you can take action.​​

Sign me up

▶ Follow Joining Forces on social media

​Spread the word about our mission. 

About Envision Evanston 2045 

Envision Evanston 2045 is the City of Evanston’s process for overhauling its approach to the comprehensive plan and zoning code. It will serve as a roadmap to guide how our city grows and changes over the next 20 years. It establishes big-picture priorities for housing, transportation, parks, economic development, sustainability, and more.  
​
This plan matters because it sets the policies of what kind of homes can be built, and how inclusive and affordable our community will be for all residents. 

Where We Are Now ​

Right now, the City Council is deliberating about Envision Evanston’s comprehensive plan. We are currently advocating for inclusion of explicit language to increase housing affordability for all income levels in all parts of the city. ​

Why We’re Here

This is bigger than Envision Evanston 2045 — it’s a movement for equitable zoning reform and racial justice. Too many people are struggling to find and keep affordable housing in Evanston. 

​We believe everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live. Together, we can change policies and make it easier to build and keep affordable housing in Evanston.  ​

Our Recommendations on Evanston's Zoning Code

​Zoning is repeatedly used as a key tool to influence— and often block— affordable housing developments. Check out our report to see how zoning impacts housing and how we can make our city more equitable.

Equitable Zoning
​Project report