Peoria Health Equity Fund backs housing projects, rental-assistance pilot shows early results

Monica, a Board of Health representative, told the committee the Peoria Health Equity Fund was created to direct dollars toward equity-driven health outcomes and that the city and county used American Rescue Plan funds under an intergovernmental agreement executed in May 2022.

The fund has supported three project areas: Phoenix Manor (a planned conversion of the former Methodist College of Nursing into 55 permanent supportive units), a rental-assistance and flexible funding pilot, and a homeownership rehabilitation program targeted at low‑income buyers in ZIP code 61605. "The purpose of this fund...was to focus on intentionally investing dollars, and addressing equity," Monica said.

Catherine Murphy, grants manager with the City of Peoria Community Development Department, described the flexible rent program. "The program provides, rent deposit, a landlord bonus, plus up to $5,000 per household for additional needs for each household," Murphy said. The pilot uses coordinated entry lists from the Continuum of Care and provides up to four months of rent-related assistance (deposit, first/last, double deposit or a landlord bonus equal to one month’s rent), plus payment of utility arrears, application fees, basic furniture and other debts that block housing access.

Murphy reported program outcomes through the pilot’s first year: 31 families have been housed, staff have screened 100 households system-wide and 14 families are awaiting units (often income-based housing). The program expanded its eligibility in December 2024 after initial demand exceeded the original referral pool. Murphy said the average expenditure per household is about $6,695 and the average per individual about $3,708.

Monica provided details on Phoenix Manor, saying the overall development required more than $25 million in financing and low‑income housing tax credits; the county board previously approved releasing $400,000 in matching dollars for that project. Construction is underway and project partners expect to be in final stages this fall. The supportive housing site is planned to include wraparound services and an on-site clinic in partnership with Heartland Health Services; county public-health staff plan on-site services such as WIC and birth‑certificate assistance.

On homeownership, Monica said the county and city issued a notice of funding availability in December 2024 to solicit nonprofits to rehabilitate properties for qualified low-income buyers in 61605. To date eight houses have been identified and reviewed, one offer has been made with a potential closing in May, and Peoria Opportunity Foundation selected AFE Construction as construction manager for initial homes. Monica said the program expects to put roughly $100,000 per property into rehabilitation on average and that 50% of resale proceeds would be split with the implementer to seed a future round.

Committee members asked about selection criteria and supportive services. Monica said staff use listing services, community referrals and coordination with the city’s land bank when available; properties with outstanding liens or that require full-system replacement are excluded because of prohibitive rehab cost. Members also asked about long-term homeowner support: Monica said programs include financial management education, home‑maintenance instruction and case-management follow-up for at least 12 months.

Why it matters: committee members and staff framed housing as a social determinant of health; the fund aims to move limited local dollars where they can produce measurable, sustained health and housing outcomes.

Questions from the committee led to requests for ongoing reporting; Monica said fund activity is reported to the Board of Health and staff will share regular updates with the county committee.