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Lincoln officials hear IHDA offer for free community revitalization planning
Summary
The Committee of the Whole heard from the Illinois Housing Development Authority on a free 12–18 month community revitalization planning program that would include a market analysis, an anonymous resident survey and a parcel-level housing stock survey; the council referred the partnership to the regular agenda for next-week consideration.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole on Feb. 10 heard a presentation from Amy Baschiti, community revitalization services manager at the Illinois Housing Development Authority, on a no-cost community revitalization planning program that IHDA offers to municipalities.
Baschiti said IHDA’s process typically lasts 12 to 18 months and begins with a kickoff meeting, then a full market analysis using census data. She described an approximately 10–15 minute anonymous community needs survey that will ask residents about housing affordability and quality, mobility and desired development types. Results are presented in aggregate at a community meeting, Baschiti said.
“The survey is typically about 10 to 15 minutes long,” Baschiti said, describing questions on housing, mobility and community amenities. She added IHDA and volunteers conduct a parcel-level housing stock survey using GIS field maps to document building type, occupancy and exterior condition so the city can identify clusters needing investment.
Dorsey, who introduced the item and noted a regional Logan County community input event on Feb. 19, told the council IHDA’s work would help the city plan for housing needs and community development. Council members asked how the survey would reach a broad cross-section of residents; Baschiti said outreach strategies are usually led by the community and have included social media, bill inserts, libraries, schools and churches, with IHDA available to help brainstorm outreach approaches.
Council members also raised cost questions. Baschiti said IHDA provides the planning services free of charge; the city would only be asked to cover modest incidental expenses such as meeting refreshments or childcare if the community chooses to provide them (the distributed package suggested roughly $1,500 as an example). The mayor asked to place the item on the regular agenda for a vote next week, and council members agreed.
The council’s referral means the full council will consider formally partnering with IHDA and any incidental budget items at its next regular meeting.
