R2004-105 AUTHORIZING FUND REALLOCATION

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� CITY OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS HOME COMPETITIVE REALLOCATION be an incentive for new construction. It also incorporates higher standards for energy efficiency, saving on utility costs and making new homes more affordable. The new code takes effect January l, 2004. The Construction Inspections Division is working closely with developers of two affordable housing projects currently underway, Wabash Crossing and Roosevelt School, to facilitate construction and eliminate any barriers to their timely completion. C. PRESERVING THE AFFORDABILITY OF VULNERABLE PRIVATELY-OWNED HOUSING Decatur has made significant progress in preserving and restoring its older, affordable, privately-owned housing. As identified in the FY2000-2004 Consolidated Plan, a primary bamer to the provision of decent, affordable housing for Decatur's lower income population is the age and condition of the existing housing stock. In 13 of the 15 inner-city Census tracts with the highest poverty rate and minority population, over 50% of the housing units were built before 1950, and over 80%were built before 1970 (2000 U.S. Census). The majority of these are small wood-frame units that are functionally obsolete and deteriorated. Recognizing this identified need, the City has implemented policies and programs to improve the livability of neighborhoods by preserving and restoring the housing stock. In the current Comprehensive Plan, the vision statement for neighborhood development states, "Our principal neighborhood development goal is to assure high quality residential living environments for all our citizens."To this end, the City aggressively enforces housing codes. Drawing on a major commitment of staff resources, this aggressive code enforcement policy has significantly reduced disinvestment and abandonment in its inner-city neighborhoods. In recent years, the Neighborhood Standards Division was increased to six Neighborhood Standards Officers (NSO's), funded through local and CDBG funds,who enforce housing, environmental, and zoning codes and address neighborhood issues. Working in conjunction with the police and fire departments, other units of government, and neighborhood organizations, the NSO's identify and take legal action against landlords and homeowners who do not comply with the codes. In FY2002-03 alone, Decatur recorded 25,802 inspections of housing, nuisance and weed complaints, and brought 3,319 cases to housing court. Accompanying the strategy of aggressive enforcement, the City devotes the majority of its CDBG and HOME funds to restoring the aged housing stock in its older, lower income neighborhoods. For instance, in FY2001 approximately 50% of the City's CDBG entitlement project funds, and over 60%of its HOME project funds,were used for residential rehabilitation assistance to low income families and elderly households, emergency repairs, code enforcement, and demolition of dilapidated structures. The results have been dramatic: As reported to HUD in the Performance Goals Summary Table, 125 renter households and 290 owner households were assisted by the City's CDBG and HOME programs from FY2000 through FY2002. This includes homebuyer assistance as well as housing rehabilitation, accessibility modifications, and emergency repair programs. The three-year figure of 415 households already far exceeds the five-year goal of 284. These programs demonstrate the City's commitment to preservation of its affordable, inner-city neighborhoods, and to making these older homes decent, safe, and accessible for their lower income residents. PAGE 8