Winnetka resident fight affordable housing in their town (Chicago: section 8, real estate)

[tonythetuna]

"Under Winnetka's proposed plan, owner-occupied units must be affordable to households earning at least $75,000. Rentals must be affordable to those earning at least $45,000 or more. Current residents and senior citizens would receive priority."

Winnetka and its residents divided by affordable housing plan - Chicago Breaking News (http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/ct-met-north-shore-affordable-housing20110330,0,3529805.story?track=rss - broken link)

I wonder what these people would do if they had to allow ghetto poverty level welfare people in their town?

Middle class working people that work for their city government and schools? Oh they can't have that!

[MannheimMadman]

I saw this article in the trib, too.

I see the intent, but I'm generally very laissez-faire regarding most things. If the uber-rich want to have their own little enclave, so be it. The one guy in the article is right - there are neighoring communities that offer cheaper digs and rents.

[ajolotl]

I agree with Mannheim. I don't shed any tears for Winnetka people, but you I like to avoid government tampering where it isn't absolutely necessary. If you laid out the cash to live near other people with money, I see no reason to mess with that. THere are other places to live nearby.

[Nodpete]

I agree with Manheim & ajoloti, I'll bet we'll find that there is some group doing this to try to sue Winnetka for bias. A few years ago there was a group that would send people to high rent buildings under the pretense of looking for an apartment and when the owners would say "we don't take Section 8" or some other program, they would sue them. And they almost always won. It was their way of making money.

[tomcho]

So is this going to be a 500 sq ft house to be affordable in Winnetka or is the local government going to subsidize the developers?

[AuDiBelle]

Interesting, but not surprising. People with extreme wealth living in Winnetka want to live with others of equal affluence.

Opponents argue that in 2005 Winnetka residents voted to change its governance to home rule to avoid complying with state-mandated affordable housing goals.

Sounds like the residents want to keep Winnetka the way it is... an affluent enclave, and I think it's their right to do so. It's not like Winnetka is the only place to live in the greater Chicagoland area.

The plan calls for the village to create a nonprofit community land trust and a housing trust fund, which could purchase land or housing, or rehabilitate apartments, and designate them as affordable in perpetuity. Real estate transfer taxes and other village fees, grants and donations could help fund the trust, according to the plan.

I don't agree with forcing residents to monetarily fund a land trust to ensure affordable housing for those who would otherwise not be able to afford a Winnetka address. I would agree more with expanding property tax freezes for seniors on fixed incomes who don't want to be forced out of their homes due to rising tax rates.

[pvande55]

Winnetka was not always an enclave for the super rich. At one time it had a lot of middle class people. Even some young people living in a few apartments or coach houses.

[tolovefromANFIELD]

I laughed my a## off when the writer in the article mentioned that god awful looking woman that is fighting to keep Winnetka the way it is spoke from her second home in Florida.

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by tolovefromANFIELD

I laughed my a## off when the writer in the article mentioned that god awful looking woman that is fighting to keep Winnetka the way it is spoke from her second home in Florida.

I agree.

[chicagojlo]

Originally Posted by tolovefromANFIELD

I laughed my a## off when the writer in the article mentioned that god awful looking woman that is fighting to keep Winnetka the way it is spoke from her second home in Florida.

Me too!