Will County Gazette

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently announced $15 million is available in grant funding to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across the state. 

According to a press release from the governor's office, funding will be provided through the IHDA's Strong Communities Program (SCP), which is in its second round of funding. The initiative seeks to boost investments in traditionally marginalized communities by providing funding to local government and land bank authorities to acquire and renovate or demolish abandoned residential properties.

"In Illinois, we believe every single person deserves to live in a home that is safe and affordable," Pritzker said in the press 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." 

Since Aug. 2020, the SCP has provided grant funding to municipalities, counties and land banks to address local affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts. The program has helped increase property values, create jobs, reduce crime, generate tax revenue and attract further community investment. This round of funding will provide grants of up to $750,000 to restore abandoned residential properties to productive and taxable use.

"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," said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the press 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." 

Grants are funded by the state's Rebuild Illinois capital plan and are an extension of IHDA's ongoing revitalization initiatives in underserved communities. The program aims to award $30 million in grant funding over two application rounds.