Employer-Assisted Housing 2003 Mid-Year Report

The employer-assisted housing (EAH) initiative, undertaken by the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) in collaboration with nonprofit Regional Employer-Assisted Collaboration for Housing (REACH) partners and regional employers, has continued gathering momentum in the first half of 2003. Started in 2000, a pilot program at one company began assisting employees with home ownership. In 2001, five more employers signed on to develop EAH programs. The initiative also received broad recognition, including new incentives from the State of Illinois and awards from outside institutions.1 In 2002, six additional employers publicly announced their commitment to this program, and in the first half of 2003 (through July), another five employers committed to launch a housing program for their employees. That brings the total to sixteen participating employers.