HODC and the Village of Skokie announced today its participation in a national peer learning initiative that will help the Village preserve and improve its diverse housing stock, meet its housing goals, and plan for future housing challenges.
Organized by the Housing Solutions Lab, an interdisciplinary team from the New York University Furman Center and partnering technical assistance providers, the eight-month long initiative will support local housing officials as they seek to address, study, and better understand current and future housing policy challenges in Skokie.
“It is an honor to partner with Skokie to tackle housing instability in this vibrant and diverse suburb,” said HODC’s Executive Director, Richard Koenig. “I have seen first-hand how affordable housing transforms the lives of our tenants and provides a foundation that strengthens communities. The commitment of Skokie’s leaders to improving not only the village of Skokie, but the lives of their constituents, is the driving force behind this work and HODC is proud to be a part.”
“The Village has long recognized the importance of good housing policy with the adoption of the state’s first fair housing ordinance in 1967,” said Mayor George Van Dusen. “Participation in the Peer Cities Network puts the Village in the position to learn from others, while continuing to serve as a leader on a national and regional stage in housing policy work.”
Skokie was selected to participate in the third iteration of the Peer Cities Network, which also includes Cheyenne, WY; Jackson, TN; Olympia, WA; and Rapid City, SD.
An important component of the Lab’s work is hosting housing policy peer networks with cities across the country to foster learning and innovation. Participants in the Network gain access to expertise in policy and data analysis, policy evaluations, technical assistance, peer support, and help disseminating policy strategies and outcomes.
“Our Housing Solutions Lab peer cities networks provide incredibly valuable insights into the ways that small and midsize cities are tackling housing instability and other local housing concerns,” said Martha Galvez, executive director of the Housing Solutions Lab. “At the same time, they offer city leaders the opportunity to learn from peers from across the nation who are grappling with similar housing challenges.”
About the Housing Solutions Lab: The Housing Solutions Lab at the NYU Furman Center works with cities across the country to design, monitor, and evaluate promising local housing policies. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Lab helps cities advance evidence-based local housing policies that promote racial equity; increase access to opportunity; and support resident health and well-being. The Lab serves cities of all sizes, with a focus on small and midsize cities (those with populations of 50,000 to 500,000).