IL Extension Regional Housing Assessment Survey for Henry, Mercer and Stark Counties

Housing Assessment Survey for Henry, Mercer, & Stark Counties 2024

You've been selected to share your valuable insights. University of Illinois Extension is conducting a survey to assess the housing needs in Henry, Mercer, and Stark Counties. Your participation in this survey is entirely voluntary and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Rest assured, your individual responses will remain anonymous and confidential.

If you have any questions or require assistance with the survey, please don't hesitate to reach out to Russell Medley, Illinois Extension community and economic development educator at rmedley@illinois.edu or call (309) 756-9978. Your voluntary participation is greatly appreciated!

Please check the box next to the answer that best reflects your answer.
1. What is the Zip Code for your current address
2. Why did you move to your current address? (Check all that apply.)

Born here in the community/countyProximity to workProximity to familyQuality of lifeLow housing costOther
3. How long have you lived at your current address? (Check one.)

Less than 1 year1 – 5 Years6 – 10 Years11 – 20 YearsMore than 20 Years
4. Why do you remain at your current address? (Check all that apply.)

Low housing costProximity to familyProximity to workQuality of lifeOther
5. In your opinion, does your community need more rental units? (Check one.)

YesNoDon't know
6. Which of the following types of rental unit is needed? (Check all that apply.)

Single-family detached housesDuplexes (2-family units) or triplexes(3-family units)Assisted living apartmentsManufactured homes (double or triple wide)Government subsidized apartment complexesCondominiums/townhousesApartmentsModular homesMobile homes (single wide)Independent living apartments
7. What would you consider a reasonable monthly rent for an APARTMENT in this region? (Check one.)

Less than $400 per month$400 – $650 per month$651 – $900 per month$901 - $1200 per monthMore than $1200 per month
8. What would you consider a reasonable monthly rent for a HOUSE in this region? (Check one.)

Less than $400 per month$400 – $650 per month$651 – $900 per month$901 - $1200 per monthMore than $1200 per month
9. What best describes the type of home you currently live in? (Check one.)

Single-family detached home (stick built, custom-built, or modular)Manufactured home (double or triple-wide)Mobile home(single-wide)Multi-family home (2-4 units)Multi-family home (5-20 units)Multi-family home (more than 20 units)Townhouse/Condominium with private entranceAccessory dwelling unit, in-law apartment, backyard cottageA home with needed supportive services (assisted care, dormitory etc.)I do not currently have permanent housing (live with family/friends or living a nomad lifestyle)Other
10. Ideally, what type of housing would you be living in today if affordability was not an issue? (Check one.)

Single-family detached home (stick built, custom-built, or modular)Manufactured home (double or triple-wide)Mobile home (single-wide)Multi-family home (2-4 units)Multi-family home (5-20 units)Multi-family home (more than 20 units)Townhouse/Condominium with private entranceAccessory dwelling unit, in-law apartment, backyard cottageA home with needed supportive services (assisted care, dormitory etc.)I do not currently have permanent housing (live with family/friends or living a nomad lifestyle)Other
11. Which of the following best describes your current housing situation? (Check one.)

Rent my homeOwn my home with a mortgageOwn my home without a mortgageAm a dependent (live with my parents or other caretakers who my pay for my housing)Live with family or roommates and share costLive in a shelter, halfway house, or other temporary housingLive in senior housing or assisted living (for seniors or disabled persons)I do not currently have permanent housingOther
12. Please select the statement that best describes your housing costs (mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance and property taxes) (Check one.)

My housing cost is less than 30% of our household's total incomeMy housing cost is between 30%-50% of our household's total incomeMy housing cost is greater than 50% of our household's total incomeI do not pay for my housingI don't know
13. If you are considering moving to a new home, what type of housing would best suit your needs (based on what you can afford and are willing to pay)? (Check one.)

Standard (stick built/modular) single family homeCondominium or townhouseMobile homeApartment (rental)Other
14. If you wanted to buy a house, what price range could you afford? (Check one.)

Less than $50,000$50,001 - $75,000$75,001 - $100,000$100,001 - $125,000$125,001 - $150,000$150,001 -$175,000$175,001 - $200,000$200,001 - $300,000$300,001-$400,000$400,001 - $500,000$500,000 or higherPrefer to rent
15. If you want to buy a home, but have not done so, why not? (Check all that apply.)

Total cost too highLack of down paymentHave poor creditCheaper to rentIntimidating loan processLack of new homesJob uncertaintyLack of homes that meet my family’s needsPrefer to rentInterest rates/economyOther

16. When considering housing in your community, please indicate your level of agreement with the need for additional units for each stated housing type. (Rate each one.)

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree	N/A	Don't know
High end housing
Conventional subdivisions and homes
Traditional neighborhoods and homes
Condominiums/Townhouses
Senior housing (1 level, accessible)
Multifamily rental units/apartments
Downtown housing (apartments or condominiums)
Affordable homes for first time buyers
Housing for individuals with physical disabilities

17 a. If you were choosing a new home, how important would the following building/lot characteristics be in your decision-making process? (Rate each one.)

	Very important	Somewhat important	Neutral	Less important	Not important
Single family detached home
Multi-family apartment unit
Condominium/Townhouse
Multiple floors
Single floor
1-2 bedrooms
3 or more bedrooms
Multiple bathrooms
In-home laundry
Shared laundry facilities
Energy efficiency
New build home (past 4 years)
Existing home (1920-2020)
Historic home (100 years+)
Accessible home for Seniors – zero entry, widened hallways, modified bathrooms etc.

17 a. (continued) If you were choosing a new home, how important would the following building/lot characteristics be in your decision-making process? (Rate each one.)

	Very important	Somewhat important	Neutral	Less important	Not important
Less than 1,000 sq. ft. of livable space
1,000 to 2,000 sq. ft. of livable space
2,000 to 3,000 sq. ft. of livable space
3,000 sq. ft. or more of livable space
Detached garage
Attached garage
Enclosed parking
Covered parking
Patio/balcony/deck
Basement/Storm shelter
Small yard/lot
Large yard/lot
New/renovated kitchen and bath(s)
Space for home office

17 b. If choosing a new home, how important would the following community characteristics be in your decision-making process? (Rate each one.)

	Very important	Somewhat important	Neutral	Less important	Not important
Rural/farm setting
In-town setting
Walkable downtown
Close to family and friends
Close to work
Close to amenities (retail, restaurants, and services including pharmacies and grocery stores)
Quality of local government services (fire, law enforcement, libraries)
Close to healthcare
Local school system
Transportation access
Proximity to outdoor spaces and recreation
Access to municipal water and sewer
Private well and septic systems
Access to Internet/broadband

18. From your perspective, what are the housing-related challenges facing your community/county? (Check all that apply.)

Lack of housing options that meet your lifestyle needsCost of housing or rentGeneral lack of supply of houses and apartmentsLimited housing options (1 story vs. 2 story, single family vs. apartments, smaller homes vs. larger homes)Lack of ready building lots and developable sitesCost of repair and maintenanceLack of skilled trades and contractors to provide repair and maintenance servicesPresence of unkept or vacant home and propertiesSafety of communitiesHousing discriminationNeed for housing near workplacesLack of interest from outside buyersLack of knowledge about requirements for purchasing a homeLack of knowledge about innovative mortgage programs and first-time homeowners’ programs
19. Have you ever been at risk of eviction or foreclosure?

YesNo
Good job you're halfway done!

20. Indicate the level of impact each of the following factors has on your ability to stay in the community. (Rate each one.)

	Significantly impacts	Somewhat impacts	Slightly impacts	Does not impact	N/A
Supply of available housing
Quality of available housing
Cost of available housing
Type of available housing
Location of available housing

21. Indicate your level of agreement with the following statement about your current housing needs. (Rate each one.)

	Strongly agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree	N/A	I don't know
My current housing meets my needs today
My current housing meets my anticipated needs for the next 10 years
My current housing is in need of major improvements or repairs to meet my future needs
My ability to stay in the region depends on finding adequate affordable housing

22. If you are not satisfied with your current home, why? (Check all that apply.)

Too smallToo oldLack of spaceToo much spaceToo expensiveToo many stairsHigh maintenance costsHigh utility costsHome in poor conditionToo far from workOther
23. If you wanted to buy a house, do you think you would be able to find something in your community or county that fits you and your family’s needs?

YesNo
24. Do you anticipate that you will be looking for senior housing within the next five years for yourself?

YesNo
25. Do you anticipate that you will be looking for senior housing within the next five years on behalf of a senior family member?

YesNo
26. If you needed housing for seniors or the disabled, and such housing was available, would you prefer to rent or own?

RentOwn
27. Are government subsidized housing units for seniors and/or disabled needed in your community or county?

YesNo

28. From your perspective, how do the following factors impact the cost and supply of housing in your community? (Rate each one.)

	Significantly impacts	Somewhat impacts	Slightly impacts	No impact	N/A
Local employment opportunities
Wages
Household debt
Household savings
The ability to qualify for a mortgage
Available building sites
Cost of land
Cost of construction
Zoning and permit regulations
Available utilities and infrastructure (sewer, water, roads, electric, broadband)
Local government interest in housing
Lack of contractors/developers
Many homes sold “word of mouth” versus through professional real estate broker without being advertised
Location of community
Interest rates/general economy

29. On a scale of one to five, how do you rate your community as a place to live? (Check one.)

1 Poor2 Fair3 Good4 Very Good5 Excellent
Demographics
30. Which age bracket are you in?

Under 2525-3435-4445-5455-5960-6465-6970-79Over 79

31. How many people live in your household(including yourself)?

	One	Two	Three	Four	Five or more	None
Adults
Children

32. What is your marital status?

Unmarried (includes single, divorced, widowed)MarriedSeparated
33. Please describe your current employment status

Employed full timeEmployed part timeSelf-employedUnemployedHomemakerDisabled (not in workforce)StudentRetired
34. How far do you commute to work?

Under 15 minutes15-30 minutes31-45 minutes45-60 minutes61-90 minutesMore than 91 minutesNo commute required
35. What is the gross annual income for your household? (total income for all members before taxes)

Less than $10,000$10,000 - $19,999$20,000 - $29,999$30,000 - $39,999$40,000 - $49,999$50,000 - $59,999$60,000 - $69,999$70,000 - $99,999$100,000 - $149,999$150,000 - $174,999$200,000 or more
The following information is required to monitor compliance with federal laws prohibiting discrimination. You are not required to furnish this information but are encouraged to do so.
36. What is your ethnicity?

Hispanic or LatinoNon-Hispanic or Non-LatinoPrefer not to respondUnknown
37. What is your race? (Mark one or more)

WhiteBlack or African AmericanAmerican Indian/Alaska NativeAsian/Pacific IslanderNative Hawaiian or Other Pacific IslanderPrefer not to respondTwo or more racesUnknown
38. What is your gender?

MaleFemaleNon-binaryPrefer not to respond
Thank You for Your Participation!

We sincerely appreciate your time and effort in completing this survey. Your input is invaluable in helping us better understand and address the housing needs of our community. Please place your completed survey in the postage-paid return envelope provided and drop it in the nearest mailbox.

Once again, thank you for your contribution to this important endeavor!

Warm regards,

University of Illinois Extension serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark Counties
Should be Empty:

Demographics