Housing Action Illinois, in partnership with local leaders, residents, and government officials, has published a Cairo Housing Needs Action Plan that explores the pressing housing challenges faced by the City of Cairo, Illinois and shares actionable steps to address them.
This initiative, led by Housing Action Illinois in collaboration with local leaders and residents, is a response to Cairo’s long history of disinvestment and aligns with our mission to expand access to quality, affordable housing across Illinois.
The plan is based on months of engagement with Cairo residents and leaders. Through listening sessions, stakeholder meetings, and housing task force discussions, we identified key issues, including a lack of affordable housing, high utility costs, and economic challenges.
Our action plan outlines solutions such as revising zoning codes, creating development districts, instituting pre-approved building plans for residential development, creating a homesteading program to transfer underutilized lots to residents, hiring a coordinator to manage development activities, and leveraging state and federal resources to revitalize the community, and more. These strategies aim to revitalize Cairo, attract displaced residents back to the community, and support sustainable housing development.
We undertook the project after an invitation by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and it was made possible through funding from IDHS, provided via the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.
We are grateful to the Cairo Housing Task Force, local officials, and community members for their invaluable contributions. Together, we can build a brighter future for Cairo.
