Josh Hawkins
Edna B. Williams-Foreman received homeownership counseling and down-payment assistance through the University of Chicago's employer-assisted housing program.
An Investment That Pays Many Times Over
Employer-assisted housing (EAH) is a generic term to describe any number of ways employers are investing in homes for the local workforce. In Illinois, thanks to a number of public incentives and nonprofit partners, EAH is a cost-effective and hassle-free way companies can improve workforce retention, recruitment and morale. By helping employees buy or rent homes close to work or transit, employers help reduce the long commutes that contribute not only to time away from family, traffic congestion, dependence on foreign oil, and air pollution, but also to employee stress and fatigue. Today’s unstable and unaffordable housing markets, as well as neighborhoods and families devastated by foreclosures, can further undermine worker productivity. MPC helps employers and communities design and implement customized EAH programs to meet local needs and engage business leaders in broader housing solutions.
Employer Assisted Housing Fact Sheet
Introducing EAH in Your Region
Illinois Tax Credits for Employers
Illinois Matching Funds for Employees
The National Housing Conference, MPC, and other partners around the country have proposed including incentives for Employer-Assisted Housing in the Livable Communities Act, to engage business partners and support more affordable living for American families.
Support the Livable Communities Act
Livable Communities Act S 1619 and HR 4690: Fact Sheet
Articles
Minneapolis workforce housing forum highlights innovative housing solutions-
- On July 12, MPC participated in Bring Workers Home Minneapolis, the second of four regional workforce housing events, which brought together a range of housing advocates, realtors, and others in the field to explore housing challenges and hear innovative solutions. The event featured several great…
West suburban employers, municipal staff gather to talk workforce housing-
- Mayor Anthony Calderone welcomed a crowd that tipped 60 to Forest Park’s Village Hall on July 13, setting the tone for a productive discussion by emphasizing recent collaboration between west suburban towns around housing issues. Representatives from west suburban communities, more than 20…
Senate candidates go on the record on regional, state planning issues at MPC's 2010 Annual Luncheon-
- At MPC’s 2010 Annual Luncheon on Monday, June 21, Illinois’ U.S. Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D), Mark Kirk (R), and LeAlan Jones (Green) had the opportunity to explain their platforms for supporting the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's efforts in metropolitan Chicago,…
MPC in Springfield: 2010 legislative update-
- MPC has some unfinished legislative business in Springfield, which we’ll continue to work on this summer in anticipation of the fall veto session and next spring’s new General Assembly. But there was tangible progress, despite the state’s fiscal free-fall. Here’s a snapshot…
- Employer-Assisted Housing Resources
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- A wealth of information on employer assisted housing programs for business leaders and other stakeholders
More related articles »
Multimedia
Employer-assisted housing participants live closer to work-
- The University of Chicago employer-assisted housing (EAH) program provides downpayment assistance and access to homebuyer education to help employees live near work. From 2003 to 2009, 485 employees received credit counseling and homebuyer education from the nonprofit Neighborhood Housing Services…
Livable Communities Act
S 1619 and HR 4690: Federal framework to promote local competitiveness and sustainability-
- Publication
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- March 3, 2010
- The Livable Communities Act (S 1619 and HR 4690) would provide a multi-year authorization for federal sustainability initiatives. The bill authorizes $4 billion over four years for regional planning and challenge grants to make communities more livable, and eliminates federal barriers to…
- Improving Housing-Transportation Linkages: Learning from listening sessions in Atlanta and Minneapolis-St. Paul
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- Publication
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- February 23, 2010
- On March 26, 2010, MPC joined representatives from the Center for Housing Policy, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. and ULI Minnesota in Live at the Forum to discuss recent listening sessions MPC and the Center convened in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., and Atlanta, Ga.. These…
Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit
HB 6038: Renewing the incentive that attracts private support for employer-assisted housing in Illinois-
- Publication
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- February 18, 2010
- The Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program (IAHTC), which provides a 50 cent credit on state income tax liability for every $1 invested in an employer-assisted housing (EAH) program — is an effective tool to engage employers in housing solutions and increase homeownership among…
- Linking Housing to Prosperity: Successes & Opportunities
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- Listen to this recording of MPC's Oct. 23, 2009, roundtable featuring a panel discussion on local workforce housing successes and opportunities to shape federal investments to promote more livable communities. Panelists were Dorothy Shaw, director of state & local affairs for Northrop Grumman…
More related multimedia »
Links
- Housing Action Illinois
- Housing Action Illinois teams up with MPC to cover the development and sustainability of EAH partnerships outside of the Chicago region and throughout the state. More info »
- Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is a major proponent of building public – private partnerships throughout Illinois and has highlighted EAH through their Workforce Development arm. While committed to encouraging statewide economic development by cultivating a well-trained workforce, DCEO enlists EAH and other tools to help employers thrive. More info »
- Illinois Housing Development Authority
- Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is an integral part of the REACH partnership. As the state’s primary housing finance agency, IHDA implemented public incentives for the REACH program. Employers running an EAH program are eligible to receive a state tax credit and employees taking advantage of an EAH program might qualify for a state matching fund. Thanks to IHDA’s leadership on the issue, other states have contemplated initiating similar incentives. More info »
- REACH Illinois
- The REACH Illinois web site gives practical information about how programs are designed and implemented, available incentives, and examples of existing programs in Illinois. Participating partners, including employers and nonprofit housing organizations, as well as case studies on successful programs are available. More info »
- Transportation for America
- MPC is a member of Transportation for America, a broad coalition seeking to align national, state, and local transportation policies with an array of issues such as economic opportunity, climate change, energy security, health, housing and community development. Subscribe to T4America’s blog to stay up to date on federal legislation related to these goals. More info »
More related links »
Collaborators
Partners
Chicago Metropolis 2020
City of Chicago
Housing Action Illinois
Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Illinois Housing Development Authority
Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
Funders
Charter One Foundation
The Chicago Community Trust
City of Chicago Department of Community Development
The F.B. Heron Foundation
The Harris Family Foundation
Ford Foundation
Legacy Foundation
The Northern Trust Company
Polk Bros. Foundation
Surdna Foundation
