The most pressing discussion centered around a pilot project for healthy housing assessments, spearheaded by Andrea Orus from Cook County Public Health. This initiative began in 2021 with a grant designed to address envelope and energy concerns in homes across Cook County. Orus explained that the Healthy Housing Network Group was established to meet quarterly and discuss prevalent issues identified in assessments, such as window and door replacements, roofing, siding, and insulation updates. The project has encountered hurdles in finding qualified contractors, which has necessitated an extension of the timeline from six months to 18 months to accommodate homeowners’ challenges. The requirement for licensed contractors, based on guidelines from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, has sparked debate among board members who worry it may limit local opportunities. Suggestions were made to explore flexibility in contractor requirements to better align with local needs and collaborate with contractors involved in current projects.

In tandem with these operational challenges, the board discussed the possibility of re-licensing inactive contractors through community education programs like CC Clip. This initiative aims to ensure quality work and reduce liability while addressing the contractor shortage. The board commended the pilot program’s success in identifying challenges and expressed a desire to evaluate its outcomes as it progresses beyond its initial phase.

Another topic was the strategic planning report developed by the board, resulting in five new priorities: the creation of opportunities in assisted living and elder housing, the establishment of a local housing trust fund, community meetings to promote new housing initiatives, the promotion of energy-efficient housing, and the development of a comprehensive countywide housing plan. Resolution 2510 was introduced to formally adopt this strategic plan, followed by Resolution 2511 to establish a local housing trust fund. This fund is intended to support various housing initiatives, including predevelopment costs, rent stabilization, and home rehabilitation efforts. The resolution was passed with discussions about potential seed money and outreach efforts to secure additional resources from regional and national organizations.

The board also introduced Resolution 2512, focusing on the residential open space overlay district. This ongoing topic aims to explore and implement initiatives related to the district.

A series of community meetings were announced, organized by commissioner’s district, to involve local realtors, contractors, and bankers in housing discussions. A flyer was prepared to promote these meetings, emphasizing the need for effective communication with local media to generate awareness. The meetings aim to tackle the housing crisis in Cook County and expedite the permitting process for new homes, with a goal of increasing the housing stock by 600 units.

Resolution 25-13 drew attention to the need for strategic approaches in assisted living and elder care. Discussions highlighted gaps in housing for those aging in the community and the importance of a continuum of care, from independent living to nursing homes. The unique demographic situation of Cook County, being the oldest county in Minnesota, complicates the housing landscape.

The board also debated Resolution 25-16, concerning a grant application for the Bjork project. This proposal requested up to $220,000 for utility hook-ups for a six-unit development. However, questions arose about the project’s alignment with fair housing laws and whether it would serve high-income individuals rather than addressing broader community needs. Attendees expressed a desire for further clarity on the project’s specifics before proceeding with approval, with some suggesting a special meeting could be arranged to address outstanding concerns.