Evanston, Ill., City Code tit. 5 (2026) § 5-7-2
PURPOSE AND INTENT (Evanston Housing Regulations)
Operative Text
This Chapter aims to increase housing choice for low- and moderate-income households in Evanston by requiring covered developments to provide Inclusionary Housing units, i.e. affordable to low- and moderate-income households. Except for housing subsidized by the City and/or other public entities, new or rehabbed housing in Evanston is generally not affordable to low- and moderate-income households. The City recognizes that, without intervention, this will result in an inadequate supply of attainable housing and will reduce Evanston's racial and economic diversity. Since there is limited land for new residential development, a reasonable proportion should be developed into for-sale and rental units affordable to low- and moderate-income households. The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance is not the only way the City seeks to address housing needs in Evanston; it is one of many tools in the City's toolkit to minimize displacement and preserve and increase the supply of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households.
Evanston City Code § 5-7-2 establishes the purpose behind the city's Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, which requires certain new or rehabilitated residential developments to include units affordable to low- and moderate-income households. The provision acknowledges that market-rate housing in Evanston is generally out of reach for lower-income residents and that, without policy intervention, the city's racial and economic diversity could diminish. This chapter is framed as one part of a broader municipal strategy to reduce displacement and expand the supply of attainable housing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 5-7-2, the city has articulated a clear policy rationale for its Inclusionary Housing requirements: to ensure that covered residential developments contribute to the supply of affordable units. Property owners and developers working on new construction or substantial rehabilitation in Evanston generally familiarize themselves with this stated intent, as it frames how the broader ordinance's specific requirements are interpreted and applied. Understanding the purpose behind the chapter can help operators anticipate how city officials may approach compliance determinations and project approvals.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5-7-2 signals that Evanston has made an explicit policy commitment to expanding housing options for low- and moderate-income residents through its Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. Tenants who believe a covered development is not meeting its affordable-unit obligations may find it useful to reference this stated purpose when raising concerns with city housing staff or a local tenant-rights organization. Because this provision establishes intent rather than specific requirements, tenants typically look to the operative sections of Chapter 5-7 for the concrete rules that govern eligibility and unit availability.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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