Chicago Housing Market Analysis

Autism Speaks and First Place Global launched the Chicago Housing Market Analysis to address the growing housing needs of autistic people and others with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Chicago.

First Place rust bar logo

The initiative will combine lived experience with market-level data to better understand housing needs, barriers and priorities. Findings will be shared with housing agencies, policymakers, developers and service providers to help shape more inclusive, community-based housing solutions. Read the press release.

Phase 1: Share your experience

First Place Global Invisible Housing Crisis Statistics

The first step of the Chicago Housing Market Analysis was to conduct a large-scale community survey focused on autistic adults, parents, caregivers and advocates.

The survey was available online from February 4 to March 29, 2026 in both English and in Spanish. A plain language survey was available. All answers were anonymous. Neither name nor email were collected. 

Participants were:

  • A person with autism or other intellectual/developmental disability (A/I/DD), OR 
  • A person that supports someone with an A/I/DD who cannot complete the survey, AND
  • Living in one of the following counties in Illinois: Cook, DuPage or Will.

Survey instructions indicated it should have been filled out from the point of view of the person with A/I/DD. If more than one person needed to be represented, such as in a case where multiple family members have A/I/DD, it was requested that one survey be completed for each person.

Learning Sessions were available to assist participants in completing the survey:

Learning Session: Chicago Housing Market Survey

Chicago Housing Market Analysis - Survey Learning Session

 

 

 

 

Learning Session: Chicago Housing Market Plain Language Survey

Chicago Housing Market Plain Language Survey Learning Session

 

 

 

 

Send questions about the survey to: housing@autismspeaks.org

Housing is one of the most urgent and least understood challenges facing autistic people...we’re taking a leadership role in understanding real needs...and turning that insight into practical guidance.

- Keith Wargo, President and CEO, Autism Speaks

Phase 2: Analyze the data

Next steps:

  • Survey data will be analyzed between April and June 2026. 
  • Report summarization will take place between June and October 2026. 

Check back here during that time for updates. 

Meet the researchers

Toyosi Adesoye, First Place Global
Avery Mickens, First Place Global
The analysis will gather new data, identify barriers to meeting demand and explore how public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors can collaborate.

- Denise D. Resnik, First Place AZ Founder & President/CEO, Mother of an adult son with autism

Phase 3: Share the Findings

First Place Global Housing Market Analyses

The Chicago Housing Market Analysis report is expected to be released in November 2026. Please check back here for updates and additional information. 

For a sneak peek of what to expect, check out First Place Global's current Housing Market Analyses covering several major U.S. markets including Greater Phoenix, Charleston, Cincinnati and Austin. 

If you want to be added to the report distribution list or have any questions about it, email: housing@autismspeaks.org