Dupage Policy Journal

More than $15 million in grant money has become available for affordable housing and community revitalization efforts statewide, according to a recent announcement by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

This is through the second round of IHDA’s Strong Communities Program (SCP), a May 4 press release from Illinois.gov said. The initiative funds local governments for purchasing, maintaining, rehabilitating and demolishing abandoned residential properties. The release stated that the focus is on revitalization efforts as well as attracting other investments into the community.

"In Illinois, we believe every single person deserves to live in a home that is safe and affordable," Gov. JB Pritzker said in the release. "For far too long, many families have resided in homes that lack the essentials everyone is entitled to. Through this funding, we are making historic investments to ensure that we are living up to our values of accessibility and equity while also providing more Illinoisans with the safety and security they have long deserved.”

The operation is in its third year, and this round of the SCP provides grants of up to $750,000 “to help Illinois municipalities, counties and land banks address local affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts,” the release said. The focus of the program is to turn vacant properties into productive and taxable spots. The SCP will, in turn, help increase property values as well as create new jobs, reduce crime and create tax revenue.

"Housing is more than shelter, it's part of the foundation of our wellbeing when we know that we have an affordable place to call home," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in the release. "The Strong Communities Program will broaden access to affordable housing through development in the neighborhoods where it is needed most, while creating jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurship.”

The funding is through the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and is also an extension of IHDA’s ongoing state and federally funded initiatives focused on revitalizing underserved communities across Illinois. There are two application periods, and a total of $30 million in grant funds will be awarded.

Applications are currently being accepted until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7.