WBGZ Radio 12/28/2020 |
By Kevin Bessler - Illinois Radio Network
Illinois introduced two new homebuyer assistance programs that aim to break down barriers to homeownership for communities of color.
To help overcome obstacles like saving enough money for a down payment and qualifying for a mortgage, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) developed the SmartBuy and Opening Doors programs.
Housing Action Illinois Policy Director Bob Palmer told the
Illinois Radio Network that IHDA is making a targeted effort to market these programs in disinvested communities like communities of color.
“They can’t get a loan on their own because they find out they don’t have the down payment saved or maybe based on the underlying criteria that the bank is using they can’t qualify for enough of a loan to buy a house in a community that they want to live in,” Palmer said.
Members of the bipartisan, bicameral Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission met Tuesday to discuss the commission s accomplishments and future goals during its final meeting of 2020.
State Journal-Register
Illinois appears to have avoided a post-Thanksgiving surge of COVID-19 infections, the state’s top doctor said Friday.
“I am really happy to say that we did not see the significant surge that we were very much concerned about in relation to all the reports that we saw of large amount of travel here in the state of Illinois,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said at a news conference in Chicago.
“So far, that is a good thing that we can report,” she said.
But she and Gov. JB Pritzker said positive case counts and COVID-19-related deaths remained much higher this fall than during the initial, spring surge in Illinois and nationwide.
State Senator Andy Manar championed the program during negotiations for the Rebuild Illinois construction plan.
“Quality, affordable housing is a fundamental human need. We negotiated the landmark, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan because we recognized it’s a need that government has the ability to play a critical role in providing,” said Manar, who chairs the Senate Appropriations II Committee. “Repurposing vacant buildings not only makes it easier for struggling families to put a roof over their head, but it also gives Downstate municipalities that have seen their budgets devastated by COVID-19 the opportunity to add value to their communities.”
Alton, Worden receive grants for blighted homes
Dylan Suttles, dyaln.suttles@thetelegraph.com
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A trackhoe tears into the house at 1022 Tremont in Alton in April. The city has received $161,000 to address blighted properties. Worden also has received $123,400 for similar purposes.
ALTON The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has announced Alton and Worden among 68 recipients of Strong Communities Program (SCP) grants.
Alton will receive $161,000 and Worden will receive $123,400.
Alton Mayor Brant Walker said the city will use the funds used to reimburse money spent on the demolition of blighted properties.
“At this point, that is the main goal but it might also be used for other projects in the future,” Walker said.