Housing rehab program moving forward

The village of Coal City is ready to roll out its much anticipated housing rehabilitation program.
Early in the year, town officials were notified the village was one of 13 communities selected by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to share $6.3 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation funds.
Later this month, a request will be sent to DCEO seeking the release of those funds as the village moves forward with the program that will assist in bringing 10 single family, owner-occupied households in compliance with minimal local, state and federal standards for safe living.
The $500,000 in CDBG funding is designated to assist low and moderate income homeowners make essential structural and related home improvements. The estimated actual cost of the rehabilitation work is $447,000—a figure that includes $20,000 in local matching funds.
Residential improvements are slated to be completed later in the calendar year and into 2021, and will focus on a project area outlined by the village in its initial funding request.
The defined project area is east of Broadway and south of Division Street stopping on the east at North Lincoln Street and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad track. The eastern border also includes homes on both sides of South Vermillion Street south to East Elm Street, and the southern border stopping on the west at South Broadway.
According to the North Central Illinois Council of Governments, the administrators of the grant, the project area services a population that is at least 51 percent low and moderate income as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Information outlining the necessary qualifications for participation in the program was set to all households within the target area. Among the requirements for participation, howeowners must agree to retain residency in the home for a period of five years upon completion of the work.
Selected homeowners are awarded forgivable loans for the actual costs of implementing essential improvements.