Housing & Community Development Committee Meeting 7-21-2026

The City of Evanston Housing & Community Development Committee met on July 21, 2026, to discuss the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing rehabilitation program and a proposed expansion to include multifamily housing rehab projects. The committee reviewed the current program's eligibility criteria, funding limits, and financial status, noting a fund balance of approximately $1.26 million and an unpredictable but generally consistent annual repayment income of $80,000 to $100,000. The program provides 0% interest deferred loans up to $50,000 for single-family homes and two-flats, with a focus on critical health and safety repairs rather than cosmetic improvements. The committee also considered a new multifamily rehab program with up to $300,000 in funding for up to three projects annually, featuring loans from $50,000 to $150,000 with 10- to 15-year terms and affordability compliance requirements. Discussions included eligibility thresholds, scoring criteria prioritizing lower-income tenants, and concerns about loan repayment and program outreach. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, but the committee appeared supportive of expanding the rehab program and improving outreach to increase participation.