By Philip Haldiman | Peoria Independent
The need for affordable housing in Peoria is real.
So the city is addressing the issue through developing policy as well as a number of possible tools ranging from employer-assisted housing to zoning reforms.
City officials said 40% of Peoria households earn less than or equal to 80% of the area median income. That comes out to just less than 75,000 people in Peoria.
Additionally, 20% of Peoria homeowners are cost burdened and nearly 50% of Peoria renters are cost burdened, meaning they are spending 30% or more of their income on housing — rent, mortgage and utilities.
Interim Deputy City Manager Chris Hallett said Peoria’s current housing gap, if left unchecked, may lead to econom
