Committee approves Habitat service agreement and $85,000 Housing Trust Fund allocation for urgent home-rehab grants

The Planning & Development Committee voted to authorize a service agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley to administer a new Urgent Need Home Rehab program and approved an initial allocation of $85,000 from the St. Charles Housing Trust Fund.

Ellen (planning staff) described the program as a grant fund for households at 60% of area median income or below, with grants of up to $20,000 per household. "It is a grant program for households at 60 AMI or lower, for urgent need repairs up to $20,000 per household," Ellen said. The program was recommended by the Housing Commission and reviewed previously by this committee.

Councilmember David stated he would recuse from discussion and votes on both the service agreement and the funding allocation. Committee member Jamie pressed staff and Habitat's representatives for clearer reporting metrics and eligibility boundaries, including whether unincorporated areas would be covered and how Habitat would verify city limits for applicants. Jamie also asked for greater invoice transparency around the 5% administrative fee, and requested that reports enumerate types of repairs, geographic distribution and waitlist data so the city can assess whether the program meets local needs.

Ellen said Habitat intends to use much of its existing critical-repair program structure and that staff will add more pointed reporting requirements. Allen (staff) told the committee the Housing Trust Fund balance is about $1.5 million and that staff recommended an initial allocation of $85,000, with a one-year review to assess uptake and additional needs.

The committee moved and approved the service agreement and funding allocation in separate motions (service agreement moved by Bob and seconded by Jamie; allocation moved by Vicki and seconded by Mark). The committee recorded roll-call votes and the chair announced both motions passed.

Staff said after council approval the city and the Housing Commission will monitor program usage and return for further appropriations if necessary.