Committee approves $500,000 allocation from Saint Charles Housing Trust Fund for Kane County affordable housing program

The Saint Charles Planning & Development Committee approved allocating $500,000, plus an administrative fee, from the Saint Charles Housing Trust Fund to the Kane County Affordable Housing Fund to increase the city's competitiveness for projects proposed through the county's upcoming request for proposals (RFP).

City staff said the city has participated in the county fund since 2018 and that previously allocated city funds remain in the city's trust fund until projects are proposed, approved and reimbursement is requested. Staff reported an available balance of $1,600,000 in the housing trust fund.

The Kane County Affordable Housing Fund combines federal funds administered by Kane County with city housing trust dollars to finance preservation, purchase‑rehab and new construction affordable housing projects. Last month the Housing Commission recommended allocating $500,000 from the city trust fund to the county program; the committee approved that recommendation.

A committee member moved for approval; the motion passed on a roll call vote. Staff noted that city funds allocated to the county fund typically carry over year to year and that the committee could limit an allocation to 2025 only, leaving the next allocation as a decision for spring 2026. The committee did not specify such a one‑year limit when it voted.

If the council and county process proceed, city funds would remain under local control until a specific Saint Charles project sought reimbursement through the county program and was approved by the housing commission. Committee members said the allocation could increase the likelihood of affordable housing projects being proposed in Saint Charles during the county's June RFP window.