Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HRA recommends EDA consider loosening employer-based eligibility for Lutzen workforce units to address recurring vacancies
Summary
The HRA reviewed a request from 1 Roof Community Housing to amend occupancy covenants on up to four of 16 workforce units in Lutzen, recommending the Economic Development Authority consider changes that would broaden employer-eligibility to help fill vacancies while preserving priority for Cook County workers.
The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Cook County on Feb. 19 reviewed a repeated request from 1 Roof Community Housing seeking flexibility to address recurring vacancies at a 16-unit workforce housing project in Lutzen.
Heidi, representing the Economic Development Authority, explained that the EDA has previously acted as fiscal agent on HRA projects and has amended agreements in the past to address vacancies. 1 Roof’s current request asks that eligibility restrictions be relaxed for up to four units (rather than a single unit as in prior amendments) to allow leasing to employees whose employers may not be based in Cook County but whose work and residence are in the county.
Commissioners pressed for specifics about which covenant provisions would change and emphasized preserving the original intent of providing housing for workers who work in Cook County. One commissioner asked that the board receive more background information on the history of occupation, the restrictions that have hindered leasing, and alternatives that would not undermine the project’s original purpose.
The HRA moved to recommend that the EDA accept the proposed covenant amendments; the motion passed by voice vote. The EDA intends to consider a related resolution at its March 18 meeting. The HRA chair said the EDA and project owner will provide additional documentation to the HRA in advance of the HRA’s March meeting.
