Evanston City Council unanimously approved the use of up to $400,000 for the purchase of a church-owned property on Brown Avenue in the city’s 5th Ward. The Evanston City Council unanimously approved the first use of up to $400,000 in funding from the Ryan Field Community Benefits Agreement for a purchase of property on Brown Avenue to be developed for affordable housing.$1 million a year for the next 15 years is being donated by the university to the city’s Affordable Housing fund.
Members of the committee live predominantly in the 5th Ward and have experience in realty, renting, leasing and affordable housing support. The committee is partnering with members of the city’s faith community to revitalize underused properties owned by local churches and turn them into affordable housing. Burns explained the faith community in Evanston owns a decent amount of property, including five lots within the 5th Ward.