The executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center urged Illinois REALTORS® to become partners with HUD-approved agencies like hers to more efficiently serve home buyers.

Athena Williams made her remarks Wednesday morning during the Affordable Housing & Economic Development Committee meeting at the Illinois REALTORS® Public Policy Meetings in East Peoria. Following her presentation, numerous REALTORS® responded to her invitation to share tips they have discovered with local partner organizations.

Download her PowerPoint presentation: “Affordable Housing: What is it? What does it mean?”

Williams suggested REALTORS® refer prospective home buyers to the Oak Park Regional Housing Center before closing a deal. The Oak Park Regional Housing Center offers consumers:

  • HUD-approved home ownership programs
  • down payment assistance
  • financial education
  • credit-building programs for those who haven’t established credit yet
  • post-purchase workshops
  • do-it-yourself workshops for homeowners

Williams wants REALTORS® to understand the difference between three types of affordability:

  • low income as defined by area median income
  • subsidized, government assistance
  • affordable using HUD standards.

For more information on affordable housing, Williams offered resources from:

Illinois REALTORS® Treasurer Ezekiel “Zeke” Morris presented the results of a 2019 task force report on affordable housing.

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Affordable Housing & Economic Development Committee Chair Tracey Royal kicked off the meeting.
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Athena Williams (seated far left) was the keynote speaker at the Affordable Housing and Economic Development meeting. She urged REALTORS® to refer consumers find HUD-approved agencies for housing resources.
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Treasurer Zeke Morris shares the results of a 2019 task force report.
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Committee members asked questions and shared ideas that helped them meet the needs of consumers.
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Members gave examples and talked about local topics.