Affordable ownership for some, but rent burden is rising for many

		All people will have access to quality, affordable housing that is accessible to jobs across the region.

Three-quarters of the region’s residents believe communities should do their best to develop housing for a range of incomes. This preference was strongest among City of Chicago residents (81%), and ranged between 65% and 76% among suburban respondents. The actual affordability of housing is uneven across the region and rental housing is costing residents a larger share of their income.

Two-thirds of the houses sold in the Chicago region in 1999 were affordable to buyers earning the region’s median income.

Housing affordability is an indicator of how well a region provides homeownership opportunities for its residents. It also affects the ability of businesses to attract workers, since affordable housing nearby makes a workplace more attractive to employees.