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Cook County HRA approves wetland studies, backs IRRR housing application and raises subsidy for Heights apartments
Summary
The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved three wetland-delineation contracts and authorized an IRRR grant application to support roughly 10 single-family homes; it also amended a subsidy agreement to reimburse up to $40,000 per year for 60% AMI rents at the Heights.
The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority on July 15 approved a set of measures aimed at advancing housing projects and clarifying financing conditions.
At the meeting the board authorized two wetland-delineation contracts with CK Wetland Services — a $3,500 study for the Creechfield Road parcel and a $9,750 survey for a 64-acre Birchgrove Phase 2 site — to identify buildable uplands and narrow potential lot layouts. Executive Director Jeff said the surveys are needed "so we can determine how many parcels we can subdivide for the purposes of housing" and to inform developers about on-site constraints.
The authority also voted to proceed with Resolution 26-23, authorizing pursuit of grant funding through the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) program to support the construction of roughly 10 single-family homes. Jeff told the board the preferred site is the Creechville parcel the HRA recently acquired; an alternate site on East 4th Avenue was identified as a backup. He stressed that a wetland delineation is a prerequisite for a timely IRRR application because the IRRR round operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
On the Heights subsidy, the board approved an amendment clarifying the HRA will reimburse up to $40,000 per year for two years to support rents at 60% of area median income. Jeff said the packet misstated the amount and the correct figure — "$40,000 a year for 2 years" — is reflected in the amended resolution; reimbursements will be submitted every six months, with the first payment due Sept. 18. The subsidy applies to nine apartments at the Heights and, Jeff said, the programed invoices and certifications will be auditable.
Motions on the contracts, the IRRR authorization and the subsidy amendment passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The HRA noted that if a preferred site proves infeasible the board can withdraw or revise the IRRR application.
The actions mark incremental steps toward new housing supply in Cook County while preserving options for technical review and developer negotiation. The wetland studies will determine usable lot counts and inform the grant application timeline; the subsidy amendment clarifies the HRA’s financial support terms for the Heights apartments.
