Panel likes affordable housing plan

While many working families are hard-pressed to find an affordable home in DuPage County, there's hope in sight for 16 households.

DuPage County's development committee approved plans Tuesday for a 16-unit development in Glen Ellyn.

The project is being built under the auspices of the Community Housing Association of DuPage, a nonprofit agency that assists residents with finding low-priced apartments and houses.

In the case of the townhouses, CHAD will sell units to deserving first-time buyers but maintain a financial share in the property. When those buyers are ready to move, they sell back to the agency, which starts the cycle again.

Dru Bergman, executive director of the DuPage Homeownership Center, noted median house prices in DuPage County are about $360,000 -- a price many workers can't afford.

"They either give up on the American dream or move further west or south," Bergman said. "There's not enough reasonably priced starter homes."

Several people spoke in favor of the plan, including members of DuPage United, a coalition of groups working for social and economic justice.

"There's a great deal of concern in Glen Ellyn that we're becoming sort of a gated community," DuPage United member Debbie Fulks said.

The development is near the northwest corner of Butterfield Road and Route 53. The residences would each have three bedrooms and range in size from 1,700 to 2,200 square feet. Units will sell for about $200,000 each.

"If we achieve a profit, we'll reduce the price for other units," CHAD Executive Director Robert Wahlgren said.

The development committee's recommendation still requires a full vote by the DuPage County Board.

"This is what we need in DuPage County," board member Debra Olson said. "The evidence shows we need more work-force housing."