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County accepts $487,000 IHDA Strong Communities grant to add 15 land‑bank properties
Summary
Kankakee County accepted a $487,000 Illinois Housing Development Authority Strong Communities Program grant to acquire, rehabilitate or demolish up to 15 land‑bank properties; board discussed grant management, procurement pace and how sale proceeds will be handled.
Kankakee County on May 12 approved acceptance of a $487,000 Strong Communities Program (SCP2) grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority to support acquisition, rehabilitation and/or demolition of up to 15 additional land‑bank candidate properties.
Ben (staff) told the board the grant funds will be used to acquire properties, complete legal work and perform necessary demolition or improvements. He said the land‑bank will request funds to replenish expenditures and that proceeds from parcel sales are returned to the land‑bank account to support future work.
Board members discussed county oversight, procurement speed and the possibility that the land‑bank itself could apply for SCP3 funding directly to streamline administration. One member noted that prior ARPA commitments were made but not fully expended, and staff said they have not requested additional county general funds beyond the SCP2 grant acceptance.
The measure passed by roll call. Staff indicated the land‑bank and county will coordinate additional quarters of SCP funding if available and will continue to sequence acquisitions and demolitions to maximize the grant’s reach.
A board member asked whether sale proceeds are returned to the grant account; staff responded that proceeds go back into the land‑bank account to be used for future acquisitions and projects.
