WASHINGTON – November 3, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, announced over $14 million in vital urban housing development grants to Illinois’ Fifth District and the greater Cook County area. The grants will provide funding for shelters for homeless individuals and expand the supply of affordable housing options for low-income individuals.
“Housing grants like the ones awarded yesterday to the Fifth District and greater Cook County area help fund our efforts to protect, provide, and expand housing for all individuals, especially those in need,” said Rep. Quigley. “I will continue to work in tandem with Senator Durbin to ensure that federal dollars are brought back to Chicago to bolster our housing development programs.”
“This federal investment will give local development agencies across Illinois the ability to offer affordable housing and homeless assistance to the people in their community who need it most,” said Senator Durbin.
Fifth District and Cook County area grant awards include:
$9,869,436 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which allows state and local governments to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income individuals.
$4,171,139 for the HOME program, which provides grants to state and local governments to fund housing programs for low-income individuals, helping expand the supply of decent, affordable housing.
$819,584 in Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), which provides funding to engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; improve the number, quality and operations of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; provide essential services to shelter residents; and rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families.
As the only Illinois member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Quigley has used his position to advocate for increased federal funding for housing in Illinois and the Chicagoland area. Most recently, Rep. Quigley sent a letter to HUD Secretary Julian Castro asking for a more open and transparent process in drafting the next Moving to Work Program.
He also sent a letter with Reps. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Luis Gutiérrez (IL-04) to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Mel Watt asking that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac not sell foreclosed properties in specific Chicago neighborhoods until a meeting is held to ensure continued access to affordable housing in those neighborhoods. He also fought to expand affordable housing projects in Cook County and led an effort with congressional colleagues urging the FHFA to bring fairness to the Chicago-area housing market. Currently, Rep. Quigley serves on the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) and the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD).
