Turning American Rescue Plan Money Into Affordable Housing 🏡
Dear Neighbor,
Last Monday, I gathered with other elected officials and community organizers to demand that we use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to increase investment in affordable housing in our community.
You can read more about our press conference and our collective goals in these articles by BlockClub Chicago and the Sun-Times, but as Housing Committee Chairman, I want to use today’s newsletter to highlight the work that affordable housing advocates are doing in our state legislature.
Congress passed ARPA in 2021 with the goal of delivering direct relief to families and workers who've been negatively impacted by the pandemic. This means that Illinois now has $8 billion in ARPA funds, and we’re advocating that $855 million be allocated toward affordable housing. I’ve worked closely with a wide range of housing providers, experts, nonprofits, and affordable housing advocates who have come together to create a proposal that outlines an evidence-based plan that leverages ARPA funds to create sustainable investments in housing.
This proposal thoughtfully divides $855 million towards ending homelessness, expanding affordable rental housing, expanding pathways for first-time homeownership, supporting existing homeowners, and developing innovative housing solutions. It asks that we put these funds to use creating 1,500 new emergency supportive housing beds, 150 new permanent supportive housing beds, grants for single-family-home rehabbing, community land trusts, and other important solutions.
Even before the pandemic, families across our community and around our state were struggling to find housing they could afford. The economic downturn and rising costs have only exacerbated the housing crisis in Illinois. That’s why I’m proud to champion this demand for significant investment in affordable housing. After all, stable housing for everyone is the foundation for safer communities, better educational outcomes, good jobs, and access to healthcare — all the things we’ll need to truly recover from this pandemic.
Take care,
Will
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MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
Starting next month, Illinois homeowners who have struggled to pay their mortgage due to COVID-19 will be able to apply for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments.
You can also follow these steps to prepare for the application opening in April:
Attend a webinar to learn about the assistance program
Review the list of required documents to apply for assistance
Contact our office to get connected to a HUD approved housing counselor to help you submit your application
Applications will only be open for a short period of time, so if you need to apply for assistance, have questions about this assistance program, or are ready to get connected with a housing counselor, please call our office at (773) 853-2570 or email us at will@repguzzardi.com. My staff is ready to work with you to prepare for the applications opening.
PAPER SHREDDING & RECYCLING
Join us for a Paper Shredding & Recycling event on Saturday, April 9th at Avondale-Logandale Elementary School from 9am - 11am!
We will be providing:
âś… On-site document shredding
âś… Electronics recycling
âś… Prescription drug take-back
Please make sure you remove paper clips, binder clips, and large staples from documents you want to shred before bringing them to the event.
This will be drive through event đźš™