Celebrating Logan Square's "Here to Stay" Community Land Trust! 🏠
Two years ago, I took over as chair of the new Housing Committee in the Illinois House.
Since that time, I've worked hard to secure state funding for the construction and preservation of affordable housing across the state. In particular, we've focused on federal COVID relief funds, which are one-time dollars that could make a generational difference on our state.
Over the last few budget cycles, we've secured hundreds of millions of those dollars for housing-related purposes. And one of those purposes is especially near and dear to my heart: the Here to Stay Community Land Trust.
Photo credit: Al Nowakowski
Here to Stay is a joint initiative of Palenque LSNA, the Center for Changing Lives, LUCHA and the Spanish Coalition for Housing. As a community land trust, it purchases homes for sale in our community, then sells them at a discount to low- and moderate-income legacy families in our area. The purchase agreement allows the buyer to make a profit when they sell, while also making sure the home is affordable for the next purchaser too.
Land trusts like Here to Stay are vital tools in preserving affordability and providing on-ramps to homeownership for people who have been historically excluded from it.
Last summer, Here to Stay sold its first home. And just yesterday, we had a press conference in front of its second property in the heart of Logan Square.
We were celebrating because in January, we passed a supplemental state budget that included $5 million in federal dollars to Here to Stay. This infusion of capital will allow the land trust to rapidly scale up its work, purchasing many homes in our neighborhood in the coming years and keeping dozens of families here in the neighborhood they call home.
I'm so proud to have helped secure this appropriation, and can't wait to see what's next for Here to Stay.
If you have any questions about housing-related issues, or anything else for that matter, please write us back. Or you can visit us at our upcoming Coffee with Will on March 4 from 9-11am at the Map Room — click here to RSVP.
All the best,
Representative Will Guzzardi,
39th State District
COFFEE WITH WILL
Meet me at this month's Community Coffee & Conversation event at The Map Room.
During this month's community coffee I'll share policy updates from Springfield and the first few months of the legislative session. I'll also be eager to connect and hear your feedback on policies that are important to you and your family. Free coffee will be provided.
When: Saturday, March 4th, 9:00am - 11:00am
Where: The Map Room, 1949 N Hoyne Ave.
SECRETARY OF STATE POP-UP IN THE PARK
Join us for a Secretary of State Pop-Up at Kilbourn Park (3501 N Kilbourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60641) on Saturday, Feb. 25th from 10am to 2pm.
The following DMV services will be provided to constituents with appointments:
Renewing or correcting driver's license
Applying for a new state ID or correcting a current ID*
Purchasing license plate renewal stickers
Completing motor voter registration
Updating organ donor registration information
Please fill out this Google Form to request an appointment. >>>
CHICAGO RESILIENCY FUND
The Department of Family and Support Services is now accepting applications for the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0, which will provide eligible residents with a one-time, $500 relief payment.
If you're a domestic worker or an undocumented resident, you may be eligible to receive this $500 reliefa payment. Visit www.chicash.org to learn more and complete an application!