Affordable Requirements Ordinance

The City's inclusionary housing policies balance the need for affordable housing with the benefits that result from development. Combined, these programs have produced more than 2,500 affordable units in market rate residential developments since 2002.

Under the 2003 Affordable Requirements Ordinance, residential developments that received City financial assistance or City land at a discount were required to provide a percentage of units at affordable prices.

In May 2007, the City Council approved an expanded Affordable Requirements Ordinance. The expanded ordinance applies to residential developments of 10 or more units and requires that the developer provide 10 percent of the units at affordable prices if:

• The developer receives any type of City land, not just discounted City land
• Any zoning change is granted that increases project density or allows a residential use not previously allowed
• The development is a "planned development," except for developments outside of the downtown area that do not obtain residential density increases
• the project receives financial assistance from the City (in this case, 20% of the units must be affordable).

More Information:

1. ARO Factsheet
2. Ordinance
3. Developer's Guide to the ARO

Forms:

1. Project Profile Form - Rental
2. Project Profile Form - For Sale
3. Non-Applicability Worksheet
4. Pricing Guide
5. Marketing Form

Contact:

Kara Breems, AICP
Developer Services Division
(312) 744-1393
Fax: (312) 744-0535