Urbana Housing Needs Study calls on community for input

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) — In July 2025, the Imagine Urbana Comprehensive Plan was finalized, with a focus on affordable housing for the next 20 years. Now, the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission has released a survey in partnership with the City of Urbana as part of the City's Housing Needs Study.

The study will analyze current housing data, any gaps in that data, learn about the community's experience and seek public outreach to fill those gaps.

Olivia Jovine, director of community development with the City of Urbana, said the study will be completed in July 2026, when the results will be presented to city council.

"We're really trying to understand the population in Urbana that may or may not be rent burdened. I think there's a lot of information that we can capture from the census, but everyone's housing needs look a little different," Jovine said.

C-U at Home Executive Director Melissa Courtwright said there is a serious need for affordable housing in the community. She said a big hurdle for their clients is rent.

"What we see a lot in our community is that the rent payments for, whether it's an apartment or a house, are so high that a person with an entry-level salary, in order to pay their rent, have enough food to eat, have transportation, would have to work about 80 hours a week," Courtwright said.

C-U at Home provides coaching, resources and a place to live for those experiencing homelessness, and seeking stability and change.

There are separate surveys for residents and landlords.

The survey is open through April 30 and is available online. If residents do not have access to a computer, they can complete the survey on the kiosk inside City Hall.