Villa Park proclaims Fair Housing Month; DuPage United urges board to turn proclamation into housing action

Villa Park’s board of trustees on April 13 proclaimed April 2026 as Fair Housing Month and heard from DuPage United, a coalition of interfaith groups and nonprofits, which urged the village to follow the proclamation with concrete steps to expand affordable and supported housing.

At the meeting, Jerry Shaw of DuPage United said the coalition represents “20 plus interfaith communities, not‑for‑profits, teacher unions, and community members” and described recent county‑level wins, including a planned 42‑unit supported housing project in Glen Ellyn that was converted from an old hotel. Shaw asked trustees for individual meetings within the next 40 days so the village can identify actions to make the proclamation “a reality for our community.”

Manager Rivas and trustees thanked DuPage United for its organizing. The presentation highlighted several local needs, with Shaw saying residents have sometimes been sleeping near the train station, at the post office and along trails and that local food pantries are stretched. Shaw said the group aims to work with the village to identify sites and supports for housing that is accessible to transportation and services.

Trustees signaled openness to follow‑up. Trustee comments referenced the importance of community engagement and education: Trustee Kumar recommended outreach to local schools to explain the commemoration and to involve students in civic education tied to the proclamation.

The board did not adopt any ordinance or binding commitment at the meeting; DuPage United asked for meetings with trustees to develop actionable proposals. Manager Rivas said staff would coordinate and that the board’s proclamation was intended to reaffirm the village’s commitment to equal housing opportunity while additional policy discussions would follow.

What’s next: DuPage United requested individual meetings with each trustee over the coming weeks to discuss potential partnerships and local strategies for affordable or supported housing; no board deadline or formal staff assignment was adopted at the April 13 meeting.