IDHA grant provides millions in neighborhood revitalization

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board approved $19 million to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across Illinois.

The grants are being awarded under the Strong Communities Program (SCP), the initiative will provide funding to 68 units of local governments and land bank authorities for the acquisition, maintenance, rehabilitation, and demolition of abandoned residential properties in their communities.

"I like to describe it as a big pie with different slices," Richelle Dunbar, the Assistant Director of Economic & Community Development for the City of Decatur, told WAND News.

The City of Decatur is taking a multi-pronged approach to neighborhood revitalization including code enforcement, demolitions and home rehabilitation programs.

"All those things working together to so we have successful neighborhoods," Dunbar explained.

Decatur has already poured millions of federal COVID dollars into this work. Friday, the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (CILBA) listed the first house for sale in its home rehab program with the city of Decatur.

"Instead of demolishing a whole bunch of properties, why don't we try to find the diamonds in the rough," Mike Davis, Executive Director of the CILBA, told WAND News.

The Land Bank worked to secure an additional $337,000 from IDHA for Decatur, to continue its work with city pilot programs.

"If I can rehab a house like this, and then the city can come in and clean-up the block or two around it, we're really providing an opportunity to clean up neighborhoods one block at a time," Davis explained.

The city said this work is also creating buy-in from neighbors.

"We see other people taking the initiatives and doing those improvements to their homes. As we tackle things, with our Cleanup Greenup program, we see folks doing clean outs of their basements, and putting things out so we can get rid of trash and therefore reduce illegal dumping," Dunbar said.

This investment is paying off for the city and neighbors.

"The more we're able to take houses and put them back on the tax rolls, then that makes more value, and adds more value to the houses next to you," Dunbar added.

The Champaign County Regional Planning Council will receive $337,000. The City of Champaign will receive $135,000. The City of Danville will see $399,000. The City Springfield has been awarded $337,000 and Macon County will receive $337,000.