Illinois Realtors launches housing supply accelerator program

Illinois Realtors is launching a statewide partnership program with local officials to accelerate housing production by identifying and removing local barriers to homebuilding, the association announced on Tuesday. Through the Illinois Housing Supply Accelerator Program, Illinois Realtors’ governmental affairs directors will work directly with mayors, county leaders, planners and other housing stakeholders to address community-level constraints that slow or prevent new construction. The initiative comes as markets across Illinois face rising pressure to deliver housing that is attainable for residents, support job growth and meet employer demands for workforce housing. Like many states, Illinois has seen supply constraints slow household formation and in-migration to certain job centers, pushing up prices and rents while intensifying affordability challenges. Under the accelerator program, local decision-makers and housing stakeholders will review zoning ordinances, development regulations and other local requirements that influence how quickly and cost effectively homes can be built. Each participating community will set its own priorities and pursue solutions tailored to its hous...