TO: Mayor Robert J. O'Connor
FROM: Chuck Nelson, Director of Neighborhood Standards
DATE: March 21, 2017
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorization for the Mayor to enter into a Program Funding Agreement with Illinois Housing Development Authority in the amount of $250,000 for eligible uses in connection with maintenance and demolition of Abandoned Vacant Property within Aurora, Illinois.
PURPOSE:
The program will be administered by the Department of Neighborhood Standards. The funds can be used citywide for any costs ranging from the maintenance of vacant properties to the demolition itself, but an emphasis will be in the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area of the near east side of Aurora.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora and Division of Property Standards implemented a Residential Vacant Property Program in July 2013 and budgeted $250,000 in FY 2017 to pursue the maintenance and demolition of abandoned and vacant properties. The Illinois Housing Development Authority in 2013 amended the Illinois Housing Development Act, 20 ILCS 3805/1 (the IDHA Act) to allow Section 7.31 of the IDHA Act authorizing the Abandoned Residential Property Municipal Relief Program The City of Aurora was a successful recipient of the $250,000 back in 2014, and due to our previous success IDHA contacted the City back in 2016 to let us know there would be a second round of the APP program. The City applied for round two back in October and was successfully awarded another $250,000 in February of 2017.
DISCUSSION:
The funding request includes the following amounts towards the program: Removal of junk/trash/graffiti- $10,000, cutting weeds/grass-$20,000, board ups - $20,000 and demolition - $200,000 The program also allows for any related expenses incurred after January 1st 2014 to be eligible for reimbursement. The revenue for income and expenditures will be in the following established accounts: Revenue Grant- State- Other 101-1727-334.30-02
Expenditure: Special Program - Grant - Oth...
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