A unified leadership move comes as Rockford’s housing shortage deepens. ROCKFORD, IL – March 2, 2026 – PlatFORM Group announced today that nationally respected housing leader Ron Clewer has been named its first Executive Director and will also serve as CEO for aligned nonprofit partners ZION Development Corporation and Northwest Neighbors, creating a coordinated housing […]
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Protected: A Deeper Look into Rockford’s Housing Gap
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Read MoreHome Prices Up 50%—Is Modular Housing the Missing Fix?
With home prices up over 50% since the pandemic, housing prices have affected nearly all income levels. First-time buyers are aged 40 (all-time high). Over 50 years ago, HUD Secretary George Romney (Mitt Romney’s father) pioneered factory-built modular housing with the goal of mass-producing affordable homes to tackle shortages and rising costs. However, the concept […]
Read MorePlatFORM Group + Region 1 Planning Council Health Atlas: Data To Inform Housing Solutions
PlatFORM Group is proud to partner with the Region 1 Planning Council and the Rockford Regional Health Council on the launch of the Rockford Region Health Atlas—an interactive data platform that brings together critical insights on housing, health, equity, and community well-being across Northern Illinois. Because safe, stable housing is inseparable from health and quality […]
Read MoreHousing Affordability: The Evidence Is In
What policies actually make housing more affordable? UC Berkeley’s Ben Metcalf breaks it down in under two minutes, drawing on decades of research from the Terner Center for Housing Innovation. If you care about housing stability, workforce attraction & retention and truly inclusive communities, this is essential viewing.
Read MoreAffordable Housing as a Foundation for Healthier, More Resilient Communities
Affordable housing is more than affordability—it’s about preserving or creating homes that promote the well-being of families by fostering stability, providing safer living environments, and lowering financial stress for hard-working Rockfordians. Discover how orgs, such as PlatFORM, along with sensible policy initiatives, can prescribe healthier, more resilient communities by committing to affordable housing and equity.
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