Illinois Homeowners in Coal City, Park Forest, and Will County Awarded $1.75 Million in IHDA Grants

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FRANKFORT, IL – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced on Tuesday that the Village of Coal City, the Village of Park Forest, the Will County Center for Community Concerns, and the Will County Habitat for Humanity are among the organizations awarded grants in Round 1 of the Home Repair and Accessibility Program (HRAP). This program is designed to assist low-income and very low-income homeowners with health, safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency repairs to their homes. The grants totaling $1.75 million will provide much-needed support to these communities to preserve affordable housing, invest in underserved areas, and improve the well-being of homeowners.

Governor JB Pritzker stated, “Every Illinoisan deserves housing that is safe and accessible—no matter their economic status or zip code. This $15.3 million home improvement grant program will provide low-income and disabled Illinoisans with the resources and support they need to stay in their homes—all while investing in communities that have been underserved for far too long.”

HRAP will be administered locally through 36 government and nonprofit organizations with experience in homeowner rehabilitation assistance programs. Eligible homeowners must be at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income based on household size, current on their mortgage payments, and the property must be a single-family home. Owner-occupied properties must be the homeowner’s primary residence, and renter-occupied properties are also eligible for accessibility upgrades.

IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust stated, “It is imperative our low-income and aging populations live in healthy, stable, and safe homes so they can continue to reside in the communities and neighborhoods they have called home. Illinois homeowners who have been delaying these vital and necessary repairs due to lack of funds should not hesitate and apply for assistance through HRAP today.”

The Home Repair and Accessibility Program was created in 2022 through the merger of the Single-Family Rehabilitation and the Home Accessibility Programs, and it is funded through the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which receives a portion of Illinois’ real estate transfer taxes.

Will County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Nicole Murray emphasized the importance of the program, stating, “As our housing infrastructure continues to age, rehabilitation is necessary to help keep the place we call home safe and secure. Many people, especially seniors and persons with disabilities, lack the means to make vital improvements to their homes as they continue to deteriorate. HRAP is a program designed in part to help low-income homeowners and renters age in place in the homes they have lived for years.”

Households in eligible areas can apply for HRAP grants by contacting one of the funded organizations that serve their community. These organizations will provide more information on eligibility and the application process. Households residing in areas not currently served by HRAP are encouraged to contact a HUD-certified housing counseling agency to discuss their options beyond HRAP.

With the Round 1 grants awarded, the Village of Coal City, the Village of Park Forest, the Will County Center for Community Concerns, and the Will County Habitat for Humanity are poised to make a meaningful impact in their communities by helping low-income homeowners make necessary repairs and improvements to their homes through the Home Repair and Accessibility Program.

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