R2023-214 Resolution Accepting Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority's Strong Communities Program Round 2

Home Browse Search

DocuSign Envelope ID:32D835C3-97C2-4565-BD48-8C80457ABA88 iz r p 'o n g o rri rn u n,,,,,, to Opportunity and Objectives:The Strong Communities Program(SCP)provides grant funds to units of local government throughout the state to address local affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts.The Strong Communities Program further leverages Federal Hardest Hit Fund and National Foreclosure Settlement Funds.A Federal Reserve study found that vacant and abandoned properties threaten the very sustainability of communities. SCP will return vacant residential properties to productive and taxable use through rehabilitation and provide funds for demolition in cases where properties are beyond repair and negatively impacting neighboring residences.As a result,SCP will increase property values,create jobs,help reduce crime,generate additional tax revenue and attract further community investment. The Strong Communities Program initiative is to preserve existing affordable housing stock that is often in city centers and in proximity to community amenities(schools,parks,medical facilities,shopping,jobs,and transportation).This initiative directly correlates to the work of the Illinois Revitalization Task Force created pursuant to SR1786,the final report of which was issued on March 13,2019,to address IHDA's recognition that the number of abandoned and vacant single-family homes were affecting housing values,decreasing the affordable housing stock,and posing a public safety hazard as municipalities were struggling to gain access to the homes.The Strong Communities Program furthers IHDA's efforts to address vacant and abandoned properties which were recognized in the fall of 2019 by the National Council of State Housing Agencies(NCSHA)with the State Advocacy Award. Program Allocation $30,000,000 of the$200,000,000 appropriated from the Build Illinois Bond Fund to the Department of Revenue for the Illinois Housing Development Authority for affordable housing grants,loans,and investments for low-income families,low- income senior citizens,low-income persons with disabilities and at risk displaced veterans. Eligible Applicants Units of local government. A county or municipality may join with other counties/municipalities and together submit a single application (Land Banks and Regional Planning Commissions are eligible to apply on behalf of units of local government applicants). Applicants anticipating home rehabilitation activities must either have direct rehabilitation experience or have partnerships with local agencies that possess the necessary experience.Available statewide. Eligible Grant Awards Eligible Applicants may apply for up to$750,000 per grant(no match funds). Program Impact For every dollar spent to address an abandoned and vacant home,the value of homes in the targeted area increases$4.27 according to the Center for Community Progress (the nation's premier non-profit organization whose focus is turning abandoned properties into vibrant spaces). We stand to increase property values by over$125 million in the aggregate in support of community residents and the local tax base. Program Requirements For activities undertaken and submitted for reimbursement, successful applicants must follow all local,county,and state laws pertaining to such activities including,but not limited to, applicable environmental laws, state historic preservation, and prevailing wage. Operational Efficiencies Energy-efficient,sustainable,and/or resilient building design for rehabilitation projects are encouraged. Eligible Properties 1-6 unit residential properties meeting the definition of Abandoned Residential Property; vacant and abandoned single family homes ($40,000 maximum costs for demolition projects and $75,000 maximum costs for rehabilitation projects per individual PIN for all eligible uses)