Press Release - Thursday, December 11, 2003
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Governor's Task Force assembles for the first time to plan statewide comprehensive affordable housing initiative
CHICAGO -Governor Blagojevich's newly appointed Affordable Housing Task Force today held its first meeting in Illinois history and took the first steps towards creating a comprehensive statewide affordable housing plan for Illinois. The Governor created the Task Force to ensure that safe, decent and affordable housing is built where it is needed most. The Task Force will pool housing expertise and resources from around the State and coordinate it to leverage local, federal and private sector efforts to provide better affordable housing.
"From aging seniors hoping to stay in their neighborhoods, to homeless families who have fallen on hard times, to business owners looking to attract workers - affordable housing is key to the success of our communities," Gov. Blagojevich said upon signing the Executive Order that created the Task Force.
The most current census data show more than 1.3 million people in Illinois live in poverty (11.9% of the population) and HUD estimates more than 1.1 million households live in housing that is a heavy cost burden, overcrowded, unsafe, or unsanitary. At least 536,000 households (12.8%) in Illinois are extremely low-income and earn below 30% of the median income, or less than $22,000 per year for a family of four. Adequate housing is a serious burden for the vast majority of these households, as well as for the working poor, seniors on fixed incomes, the disabled and other special needs populations.
"Additionally, more than 1,500 families and 2,300 individuals in Illinois are chronically homeless," explained Kelly King Dibble, Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and Chair of the Task Force. "While the Department of Human Services is the lead State agency responsible for housing and supportive services for the homeless, DHS can't build any new homes or shelters without IHDA's financial support and technical help."
"The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) also administers a homeless assistance program (HUD's Emergency Shelter Grants Program) and this really is the first forum and venue for these three agencies to coordinate their efforts," added Dibble. "The Department of Health has a housing support program for persons with AIDS/HIV, the Department of Children and Family Services has a housing support program for their emancipating foster youth, so these and other Departments are all trying to deal with housing issues and we need to work together to best solve the problems and most effectively finance the projects."
LaSalle Bank Executive Vice President Rob Grossinger is co-Chair of the Task Force and will be helping to formulate policy and strategy that will best leverage the banking and private sector funds in support of the State's housing initiatives. US Congressman Bobby Rush, Chair of the Governor's housing transition team, is also on the committee and will be a crucial link to federal funds. State Rep. Julie Hamos, Chair of the Illinois Legislature's Housing Subcommittee, Jack Markowski, Commissioner of the City of Chicago's Department of Housing, and other housing experts and private sector officials from across the State are represented on the Task Force. The full list of the thirty-five members with their bios is attached.
The Executive Order identifies several underserved populations that the Task Force will specifically work to address. These include households earning below 50% of area median income (AMI) with an emphasis on those at 30% of AMI, low-income seniors, people with disabilities, the homeless and those at risk of being homeless.
Beyond specific populations, the preservation of existing affordable housing stock is also identified as an important goal for the State, as expiring programs allow many current affordable housing apartments to be converted into market-rate developments. The Task Force will also confront the unique challenges rural poor populations face in finding affordable housing that is both adequate and proximate to employment. Sixteen rural counties in Illinois have more than half of their total households considered low-income, and a full 40% of the state's households are in this low-income category.
The first mission for the Task Force will be to develop the State's annual housing plan, which must be completed and presented to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31 of next year. The Task Force will also report to the Governor and General Assembly on its progress implementing the plan on April 1 of each year.
At the meeting today, Task Force members considered ten working groups to focus on specific housing issues. The working groups considered were:
· Jobs/Housing, which will begin to develop strategies to use affordable housing to support businesses and local economies with adequate nearby workforces
· Persons with Disabilities, which will identify programs and coordinate housing with social initiatives that help persons with disabilities become more integrated into society
· Very Low Income Households, to identify strategies to help find housing for the very poorest populations of the state
· Homeless, to create programs that address the homeless population and support the dedicated social services for them
· Low Income Seniors, to coordinate housing and programs for those on fixed incomes
· Preservation, to develop strategies to ensure that the current stock of affordable housing remains affordable after their contracts expire
· Rural and Small City, to identify strategies that address the unique problems of housing near jobs in rural areas
· Inner City Chicago, to better leverage the City's resources with the State's for the most effective impact
· Industry Coordination, to identify ways that developers, banks and other housing related industries can support and coordinate their activities with the State
· Local Government, to create opportunities for local governments to leverage their resources with the state for the most effective use.
About the Illinois Housing Development Authority
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) finances the creation and the preservation of affordable housing across Illinois. Since its creation by an act of the Illinois legislature in 1967, IHDA has allocated more than $6 billion and financed more than 160,000 units of affordable housing across the state. IHDA accomplishes its mission through a number of federal and state funding sources, including the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the State's Donations Tax Credit Fund, the allocation of federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funds and others. IHDA is also a bonding authority, and independently writes and sells bonds, based on its own good credit, to finance affordable housing across the state.
The members of the Task Force are as follows.
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1. EC* IS |
Representative from the Governor's Office or Office of Management and Budget |
Responsible for oversight in the development and management of the State's budget. |
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2. EC IS |
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn |
Chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. The charge of the Council is to maintain a focus on rural issues in an increasingly urban state, provide a single point of contact on rural issues in state government, monitor rural conditions and arrange for special projects, prepare a legislative agenda for issues important to rural constituents, and provide access to specialists on major rural issues to help residents and coordinate multi-agency initiatives. |
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3. EC IS |
Ms. Kelly King Dibble - Task Force Chair Executive Director Illinois Housing Development Authority |
The State's Housing Finance Agency. Responsible for issuing bonds for affordable housing development and first-time homebuyer assistance. Administers the State's allocation of Federal HOME funds and Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Also administers the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits. Participates in the HUD Section 8 Mark-to-Market debt restructuring program. The Office of Housing Coordination Services (OHCS) provides technical assistance and operates a statewide housing information clearinghouse. OHCS coordinates the production of the Consolidated Plan for the State. |
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4. EC IS |
Mr. Ronald Carter, Director Office of Strategic Planning Illinois Department of Human Services |
Coordinates most of the state-administered human services. Strives to help Illinois residents achieve self-sufficiency, independence and health to the maximum extent possible by providing integrated, family-oriented services and promoting prevention in partnership with communities. DHS is divided into four divisions: Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Services, Community Health and Prevention, Transitional Services and Community Operations, and two offices: Alcoholism and Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation Services. |
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5. IS |
Mr. Charles D. Johnson, Director Illinois Department on Aging |
The Illinois Department on Aging helps older people live independently in their own homes and communities. As the population ages, services and programs for older people must evolve as well because longevity means more when quality of life is enhanced. To best serve older adults, the Department also serves their families and teaches younger people about the realities of aging, so many programs have an intergenerational emphasis. Working with Area Agencies on Aging, community-based service providers and older people themselves, the Department strives to improve quality of life for current and future generations of older Illinoisans. Administers the Community Care Program. |
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6. EC IS |
Mr. Jack Lavin, Director Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity |
Advances economic development by improving the competitiveness of Illinois in the global economy, resulting in growing prosperous industries, high-quality jobs, and world-class communities. Assists with the expansion, retention and location of new and existing businesses; promotes Illinois exports and foreign direct investment; advances the commercialization of new technologies and technology-based enterprise development; provides training and educational assistance to build a productive workforce; promotes development of small businesses, the Illinois coal industry, and the tourism and film industries; encourages recycling and use of alternative energy resources, and assists communities in addressing infrastructure and quality of life issues. |
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7. |
Mr. Bryan Samuels, Director Illinois Department of Children and Family Services |
Provides services to children and families to prevent abuse and keep families intact; receives reports of child abuse and neglect; conducts investigations; provides protective services and substitute are settings for children; arranges adoptions and guardianships for children under the department's care, and licenses foster homes and other child care settings. Administers the Norman Housing Advocacy and Cash Assistance Program and the Youth Housing Assistance Program. |
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8. IS* |
Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Director Illinois Department of Public Health |
Administers about 200 programs and services that promote the health of Illinois citizens through prevention and control of disease and injury. Strives to eliminate health hazards, regulate health care facilities and identify and control outbreaks of disease. Administers the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program as well as the Get the Lead Out Campaign for lead-based paint removal. |
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9. IS |
Mr. Barry S. Maram, Director Illinois Department of Public Aid |
Administers the Medicaid and KidCare programs, which provide health care assistance to 1.4 million persons per month. Oversees the state's Child Support Enforcement Program, which locates absent parents, establishes paternity and child support, obtains medical support for children, enforces delinquent support orders and administers the State Disbursement Unit for collecting and disbursing child support payments. Administers the Medicaid waiver for Supportive Living Facilities. |
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10. IS |
Mr. Timothy Martin, Secretary Illinois Department of Transportation |
Plans, coordinates, constructs, operates and maintains the state's extensive transportation network, which encompasses airports, highways and bridges, as well as public transit, rail freight and rail passenger systems. |
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11. |
Dr. Cynthia B. Struthers Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Western Illinois University |
Located at Western Illinois University, the IIRA is designed to improve the quality of life in rural areas by developing public-private partnerships with local agencies on community development projects in rural areas. The Institute works on projects including rural economic and community development, rural health care, rural education, rural public transportation, public management policies, housing, and technology. |
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12. |
Mr. Joseph Galvan, Midwest Regional Director U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development |
Federal agency responsible for allocating the majority of housing-related resources involving community development, affordable housing development and preservation, emergency shelters, special needs housing, fair housing, supportive housing and public housing. |
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13. |
Mr. Barry Ramsey, Housing Programs Director U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development |
The overall mission of USDA-Rural Development is to improve the quality of life for rural Americans. By providing technical assistance and programs to rural Americans, a stronger economy will be built and will improve the quality of life for all. Formerly Farmers Home Administration, the Rural Development arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for allocating its housing resources to rural communities. |
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14. |
Honorable Julie Hamos Illinois House of Representatives |
Representative Hamos chairs the Housing and Urban Development Committee. |
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15. |
Representative for the President of the Illinois Senate |
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16. |
Representative for the Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives |
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17. |
Honorable William E. Peterson Illinois Senate |
Senator Peterson sponsored the Accessible Housing Demonstration Grant Program created during the 92nd General Assembly. |
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18. |
Ms. Sue Augustus, Executive Director Corporation for Supportive Housing |
CSH helps communities create permanent housing with services to prevent and end homelessness. Provides capacity building training; pre-development funding, and advocacy services for supportive housing developers and projects. |
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19. |
Ms. Jean Butzen, Executive Director Lakefront Supportive Housing |
Lakefront Supportive Housing (LSH), formerly named Lakefront SRO, develops, provides and advocates for supporting housing primarily for the homeless and at-risk populations. LSH was founded in 1986 to stem the loss of single room occupancy housing taking place in Chicago. Lakefront has developed nine such supportive housing buildings since its inception, and has won numerous awards for them as well as its "blended management" model, which provides all of the services these individuals need to remain permanently housed. |
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20. EC* |
Mr. George Dinges, President -Development Services Group, Inc./ Vice-President-Illinois Equity Fund |
DSG is a private consulting firm that has had extensive experience with economic/housing development programs. It worked with the Chicago Equity Fund to create a downstate counterpart, the Illinois Equity Fund, to syndicate low-income housing tax credits. Both organizations have worked extensively in central and southern Illinois in developing family, elderly, and assisted living projects. |
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21. |
Mr. Bruce Gottschall, Executive Director Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Chicago |
NHS of Chicago is a non-profit organization working to rebuild low and moderate income neighborhoods in the City of Chicago that are experiencing deterioration and disinvestment. Formed in 1975, NHS stimulates community investment through a partnership of residents, businesses, and government. |
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22.EC |
Mr. Robert Grossinger, Task Force Vice-Chair Senior Vice President, Community Development LaSalle Bank N.A. |
Private-sector Co-Chair of the HTF and former Vice-Chair of the Governor's Transition Team Housing Committee (Finance). Mr. Grossinger also formerly worked to start up the Corporation for Supportive Housing's Chicago office. Prior to that, he was Assistant Director at IHDA. Works with LaSalle, Chicago's second largest bank, in its CRA investment and community-based lending programs. |
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23. |
Mr. King Harris, Senior Executive Chicago Metropolis 2020 |
A non-profit organization created by the Commercial Club of Chicago in 1999 to advocate for better regional planning and smart investments to promote the region's long-term health. Authored a Workforce Housing Policy Agenda (report) in Summer of 2002. |
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24.EC |
Ms. Sharon Hess, Director Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless |
The Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless (SICH) is a private, not-for-profit corporation formed by rural social service agency directors in 1989. SICH administers a rural homeless-to-homeowner program for very-low income families in over 24 counties in southern Illinois. SICH also operates 12 units of transitional housing. |
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25. |
Mr. Brian Hollenback, Executive Director Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation |
This organization has been instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Rock Island, and has worked with IHDA in multi-family, single-family rehab, and homebuyer programs. |
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26.EC* |
Ms. Juanita Irizarry, Executive Director Latinos United |
Originated in 1983 as part of the Mayor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, this organization documented Latino under-representation in all forms of subsidized housing. It became Latinos United in 1989. Has worked with Chicago's Latino community to create affordable housing through capacity -building, monitoring, education, advocacy, and litigation. |
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27.EC |
Ms. Cherita Logan, Executive Director Sankofa, Inc. |
Since 1975, this organization has provided community-based housing education, resources, and services, which have included housing counseling, family stabilization, financial literacy, and foreclosure prevention. Participating in the WOW Initiative. |
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28.EC |
Mr. William Malleris |
Developer of rental apartment complex in Naperville which serves as a national model of barrier-free accessible and integrated housing. Provides consulting services in a number of related disabilities services/areas. |
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29. |
Mr. Jack Markowski, Commissioner City of Chicago-Department of Housing |
The City's Department of Housing (DOH) is responsible for operating a broad array of federal, state, and locally funded affordable housing programs, including CDBG, HOME, LIHTC, bond financing, and local funds. Regularly provides joint financing on IHDA-assisted projects in the city. |
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30.EC |
Representative Bobby Rush U. S. Congress |
Congressman Rush served as the Chair of the Governor's Transition Team Housing Committee, whose recommendations report was instrumental in creating the Illinois Housing Initiative. His linkage to federal black grant, tax credit, rental assistance, mortgage insurance, and other programs is vital to the Housing Task Force's work. |
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31. |
Mr. Eloy Salazar, Executive Director Illinois Migrant Council |
IMC is a community-based, non-profit organization with the permanent mission of promoting employment, educational, and other opportunities for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families to achieve economic self-sufficiency and stability. |
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32. |
Honorable Doug Scott, Mayor City of Rockford |
In his first term as the City's mayor. Previously served as State Representative and Chair of the Illinois General Assembly's Urban Revitalization Committee. Strong interest in employer-assisted housing. |
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33.EC* |
Ms. Robin Snyderman, Housing Director Metropolitan Planning Council |
Founded in 1934, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is a non-profit, non-partisan group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest through promoting and implementing sensible planning and development policies. Coordinated Regional Rental Market Analysis, and also staffed the Governor's Transition Team's Housing Committee. Has worked actively with IHDA through employer-assisted housing and its Regional Housing Initiative programs. |
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34. |
Dr. Howard Stanback, Executive Director Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities |
The oldest (1966) and most comprehensive fair housing organization in the Chicago region, the Leadership Council provides training, technical assistance, and advocacy services. Assisted the State in developing its analysis of fair housing impediments. |
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35. |
Mr. William Wilkins, Executive Director East St. Louis Housing Authority |
As CEO of East St. Louis Housing Authority, Mr. Wilkins manages over 2,100 public housing units and approximately 300 housing vouchers. ELSHA has actively worked with private developers and neighborhood organizations on mixed-finance projects to redevelop affordable housing in the city. |
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