Housing Commission

St. Charles

Kane County

The City of St. Charles created a housing commission to advise the City Council on policies and programs related to affordable housing.

Background

The City of St. Charles began formally exploring housing efforts in 2002, partially in response to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus’ Housing Endorsement Criteria, which the city adopted. In 2005, the City approved a Housing Action Plan, developed in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Council, that recommended the creation of a housing commission, a housing trust fund, and an inclusionary housing ordinance (IHO). These steps laid the foundation for the establishment of the housing commission and the City’s broader approach to affordable housing policy.

How It Works

The St. Charles Housing Commission was created in 2005 and has served as an advisory body to the City Council on policies and programs related to affordable housing.

Annual Report

Each year, City staff prepares a report to inform the Commission’s work. The report includes analysis of:

  • The supply and share of affordable homeownership units, using township assessor data on home values.
  • The supply and share of affordable rental units, based on collected rents and unit sizes from local rental properties.
  • Trends in median housing prices and rental costs over time.

The report helps track local affordability trends, which in recent years have shown a decline in affordable housing supply in St. Charles.

Inclusionary Housing Ordinance

The City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO) and Housing Trust Fund were adopted in 2008. The original IHO included a trigger provision: it would deactivate if the City’s affordable housing share rose above 25% and reactivate if it fell below. Though this provision was later removed, the City retained its practice of conducting annual affordability tracking. This more frequent, localized assessment is modeled in part on the state’s Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act methodology but offers more up-to-date information.

Goal

Advise City Council on affordable housing needs and strategies.

Target

Affordable housing policies, programs, and housing trust fund recommendations in St. Charles.

Success

The commission has provided ongoing attention to affordable housing issues and offered guidance to local efforts such as the IHO and housing trust fund.

Lessons Learned

Commission makeup is key, and having a mix of expertise and perspectives matters. A City Council liaison helps bridge communication between the advisory body and elected officials.

The Commission plays a key advisory role in recommending annual updates to the IHO’s in-lieu fee, with the City Council making final decisions. In recent years, Councilmembers have cited the annual report to push for stronger components within the IHO to encourage inclusion of affordable units rather than in-lieu fee contributions, citing the Commission’s annual report.

Housing Trust Fund

The Commission is also responsible for recommending how to allocate Housing Trust Fund dollars. Working with staff, the Commission proposes programs and projects to the City Council, which then approves or modifies the proposals. Past and current programs include:

  • A home rehabilitation loan program (for households up to 80% AMI), which has seen limited use.
  • A first-time homebuyer assistance grant program (for households up to 80% AMI), which has not yet been utilized.
  • An upcoming new urgent home repair grant program (for households up to 60% AMI), focused on critical systems such as roofing and HVAC.

The Commission also approves Housing Trust Fund dollars for affordable housing developments proposed in St. Charles, through participation in Kane County’s Affordable Housing Fund.

Public Involvement

The Commission consists of nine members who serve staggered 3-year terms. To foster alignment, the Commission includes a City Council liaison who can bridge communication between the two groups and speak to the Commission’s rationale when housing issues reach the Council. Designated liaison seats are also held by representatives from the Park District and the School Board. Members include a range of community perspectives, such as a local realtor, a former homeless shelter director, and a rental property owner. From time to time, the Commission has hosted joint forum-style meetings with the City Council to build consensus on key issues.

Contact Information

City of St. Charles Community Development Department, www.stcharlesil.gov

This case study was last updated in February, 2026.

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