The Equitable Zoning Project

About the
​Project

What Is
Zoning?

Key
Findings

Recommendations

Next
​Steps

Results

Experiences with Housing Affordability

Priorities for Zoning And Land Use

Community Outreach and Engagement

Equity in Zoning Decision Making

Experiences Related to Housing

​Experiences with housing were a key area focus in exploring the impact of the housing environment—specifically how experiences varied by race, income level, and disability status. Within those demographic categories, we looked at three components of the housing experience:

• The amount of housing choice available
• Whether a household was able to find a home they were willing to pay for
• Upon finding housing, how much did that housing cost compared to the household’s income

 
We also found that some people had variations in their experiences based on other characteristics, such as their possession of a Housing Choice Voucher or their status as a student. 

“Earning little and renting don't go together sometimes, but you have to put a roof on your head and sacrifice some other things. Three square meals have been hard, you know, and you don't get to buy everything you want.”
(Black respondent who rents with income between $25,000 and $75,000)

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“My rent takes almost 60% of my income so it's not so easy."
Focus group participant who did not fill out the demographic survey

Key Findings

• Housing Affordability
• Strategies for Survival
• Community Resources
• ​Unique Experiences

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Availability of Affordable Housing

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

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Housing ​Abundance

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

Strategies for Survival

Participants indicated the importance of using various strategies to survive when they have had no affordable housing options on their own. 

Home-Sharing

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

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Leaving Evanston

Of the 88 survey respondents who said that they no longer lived in Evanston, 44 (50%) said that their reason for moving was due to high rental costs. 

Housing rental costs were too high	44
Housing ownership costs were too high	4
Lack of accessible housing option for disability needs	4
Lack of housing near businesses/public resources	2
Lack of schooling choice	3
Lack of transportation	1
None/other	30

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Mixed-Use 
​Zones

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

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Public Transportation

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

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Public & Environmental Resources

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

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Disability Accessibility

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

Student Experience

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing. 

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Source of Income Discrimination

Of the 82 focus group participants who answered a question about their housing situation on the demographic survey that was part of the focus groups, 25 (or 31%) indicated that they were sharing housing.