FAQs

Currently, there are policies and regulations that hold the housing market back. Through the housing readiness process, CMAP works hand-in-hand with local leaders to identify barriers to housing development and create solutions to remove them. These solutions will be listed and prioritized in a housing readiness checklist. The housing readiness action plan will include resources and information to support local leaders in implementing the checklist.

The agency was established in 2005 with the mission to plan comprehensively for economic prosperity and quality of life.

CMAP and its partners developed and are now implementing ON TO 2050(External link), a new long-range plan to help the seven counties and 284 communities of northeastern Illinois implement strategies that address transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues. To learn more about CMAP, visit www.cmap.illinois.gov(External link).

The McHenry County Housing Ready Plan is being developed by  Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) in partnership with McHenry County. A Steering Committee of local stakeholders will guide the project through every step to ensure the many perspectives within McHenry County are at the decision-making table.

For example, a McHenry County resident wants to purchase a plot of vacant land to build a new home, but the plot of land is slightly smaller than what the zoning code would require for a new single-family home. The resident would have to apply for an exception to the regulation, which can cost time and money.

Because of this barrier, the resident may choose to move outside McHenry County to a place where it is easier to build. When this happens, the County misses out on valuable property tax revenue and loses a community member. Removing barriers provides property owners more freedom and enables more of the housing that a community needs.

This 18-month project will include many ways to get involved including interviews with local residents and business owners, online surveys, and in-person community meetings. This page will always have the latest project updates.