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ECDA reports waitlists, demolition and HUD monitoring plans; staff seeks rule clarifications
Summary
City staff reported 27 active housing projects, about 160 on the general waitlist and 68 on the lead-abatement waitlist, said four of eight targeted demolitions are complete, and warned ARPA environmental rule changes may affect lead-abatement and rental-rehab scopes; HUD will conduct an upcoming monitoring visit.
At the May 4 Community Development Committee meeting, the Kankakee City ECDA departmental representative (Barbie) delivered an update covering active programs, waitlists, demolition progress and an upcoming HUD monitoring visit.
The department reported 27 projects in progress, approximately 160 people on the general housing waitlist and about 68 on the lead-abatement waitlist. For the CDBG housing-rehab program staff said 13 projects are in progress with a goal of 14 completed this fiscal year.
On lead abatement and Healthy Homes, Barbie said the final seven Healthy Homes projects are delayed by contractor availability and that ARPA-related environmental requirements have changed program rules, potentially affecting per-unit rehab caps (historically maxing near $25,000). She told the committee the department will present proposed program-rule updates in June after obtaining legal clarification.
Demolition and land bank: ECDA reported it has completed four of eight planned demolition projects for the year and has circulated a land-bank report documenting roughly 10 properties with improvements, about 12 properties in acquisition and seven sites with active foreclosure or lien activity.
Grants, compliance and outreach: Staff said shelter-grant contracts are drafted but must meet Department of Labor contract standards before a notice to proceed can be issued. The public-service allocation award notices were emailed; final reports and drawdowns are ongoing and CDBG drawdowns typically lag, staff said. The department urged council members to consider local funding or fee reductions to bolster competitive housing applications, and reminded members of the May 30 neighborhood cookout at the Civic Auditorium.
HUD visit and counseling launch: ECDA staff described a recent week-long HUD compliance training in Arlington and an imminent HUD monitoring visit that will include a digital file review followed by an in-person audit. Staff also said housing counseling will go live only after HUD issues a notice to proceed and that intake will be routed through the CDA office.
No committee votes were taken on program rule changes; staff requested time to return in June with legal clarifications and any required program adjustments.
