Introduction

The City of Edwardsville has experienced tremendous growth and development over the last 20 years. Not only has the City seen the addition of corporate headquarters for businesses such as Hortica Insurance, Prairie Farms, and Worldwide Technology, but revitalization of Historic Downtown Edwardsville, as well. Residential growth has kept pace, with the City issuing 1,293 permits for single family homes between 2000 – present and the addition of approximately 885 new multi-family units (including off-campus student housing) from 2010-present. While the growth has been well managed, the demand for land in a rapidly growing real estate market means the market rate to purchase or rent a home is high. There is a perceived need for more affordable housing in Edwardsville. Colloquially, residents often vocalize the need for single-family homes in the low $200,000s. When homes are available in this range, they typically require significant work to modernize electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. Residents have also vocalized the need for housing (rental or purchase) for workers making minimum wage.

As a result of these early conversations, the City completed a Housing and Income Study in March 2021 (Reference Document A). This study examined both income data based on the 2019 American Community Survey and housing availability data using Zillow.com and websites of community rental management companies. A true market / demand analysis is necessary so that the City can set achievable goals related to housing in our community.

About the City of Edwardsville

The City of Edwardsville is located in Southwestern Illinois, just 25 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. The City has a population of 26,808 (2020 U.S. Census), is the Madison County government seat, and is home to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), with a student population of over 13,000 students. Edwardsville's location in the St. Louis metropolitan area means that both our labor market and our trade area extend far beyond the City's corporate boundary.

Edwardsville plays a key role in the southwestern Illinois economy and is home to a large distribution and logistics sector, located in the western edge of the City. Home to approximately 20 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space, workers for these jobs travel great distance for the employment opportunities they offer. While this sector is located on the western edge of the City, corporate headquarters such as Prairie Farms, Hortica, and Scott Credit Union have established a corporate presence on the eastern side of the City.

In addition to these two key employment sectors, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) adds education to the local economy. The growing student body consists of over 13,000 students that live both on- and off-campus.

Scope of Work

The City of Edwardsville seeks a qualified consultant to complete a housing needs assessment and affordable housing strategy. The City anticipates that the scope of work will include the following:

1. Housing Needs Assessment. The consultant shall determine the housing market area, and specifically evaluate Edwardsville's share of the market area with respect to housing needs at varying price points and with varying tenures.
   1. A report of existing conditions shall be included and should address topics such as population, employment statistics, income statistics, geographic conditions such as concentrated areas of poverty, etc.
   2. A report of housing characteristics such as ownership, type and age of dwellings, availability of affordable and subsidized housing, as well as renter and owner occupied housing.
   3. A demand analysis, assessing the needs of housing and various price points based on the housing market and labor market. The analysis should also include the demand for both owner and renter occupied housing.
2. Housing Strategy.
   1. Develop realistic goals for the City of Edwardsville related to types, prices, condition, and location of housing.
   2. Develop strategies to achieve stated goals, including:
      • Type and price point of housing as well as methods of achieving this housing
      • Recommendations on housing maintenance programs aimed at the City's older housing stock
      • Recommendations of programs that could be implemented to further the stated goals
3. Public Engagement. A vital component to this project will be public outreach. While the City envisions the primary type of public outreach to be focus groups, other types of outreach may also be beneficial. The City and the Consultant will work together to formulate an appropriate method(s) of engaging residents so that data points can be gathered, documented, and used to complete both the assessment and strategy.

Deliverables

Although final deliverables will be finalized with the selected qualified consultant, the anticipated deliverables include:

1. Databases developed for project compatible with Microsoft Access or Microsoft Excel
2. Graphics in original and .jpg format
3. Complete document in Word format
4. Results of Public Engagement - Qualitative and Quantitative documentation of results of public outreach

Consultant Qualifications

Provide the following for the primary firm and any subcontractor firms who will work on this project:

1. Letter of interest
2. Description of specialized experience in the type of work herein described
3. Firm's demonstrated understanding of local conditions and project needs
4. Project approach
5. Public involvement / engagement experience
6. Experience of individual personnel on consultant team(s)
7. References, including names, titles, and contact information for comparable clients

Selection Process

The following ad hoc committee will review qualifications and interview the most qualified firms:

1. City Planner
2. Economic Development Coordinator
3. Public Works Director
4. City Administrator
5. Human Resources Director
6. Chair of Human Relations Commission
7. Chair of Plan Commission

This committee reserves the right to request additional information as needed, and may add additional individuals to the list above.

Questions

Questions about this RFQ should be submitted in writing to:

Emily Fultz, AICP, City Planner
City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works
200 E. Park Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025
efultz@cityofedwardsville.com

All questions and answers will be posted in the 'Bid Portal' on the City's website (www.cityofedwardsville.com) so that all responders have access to the same information. The deadline to submit questions is Tuesday, October 26 by 5:00 p.m. CST. Questions received via phone will not be answered. Questions received after this deadline will not be answered.

Submittal Instructions

The deadline to submit responses to this RFQ is 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, October 29, 2021. All responses must be emailed to:

Emily Fultz, AICP, City Planner
City of Edwardsville Department of Public Works
200 E. Park Street
Edwardsville, IL 62025
efultz@cityofedwardsville.com

Reference Documents

Firms should be familiar with several relevant documents related to the City's housing and development environment.

1. Edwardsville Housing and Income Study
2. Comprehensive Plan
3. I-55 Development Code
4. City-wide Design Guidelines
5. Zoning Code Update
6. Historic Districts
7. Residential Design Guidelines
8. City of Edwardsville Rental Registration Program
9. City of Edwardsville Fee Schedule (Public Works / Building Permits)

In addition to the documents linked above, the Department of Public Works maintains a database of building permit data, including type and cost of project.

The consultant should also be aware residents have formed an organization focused on furthering affordable housing in Edwardsville: The Edwardsville Community Housing Alliance. Their webpage can be viewed at: Edwardsville Community Housing Alliance.