Housing Commission

AGENDA HOUSING COMMISSION Commissions Room, 2nd Floor Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd. Arlington Heights IL 60005 May 21, 2025 7:00 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Minutes 4/16/25 IV. REPORTS A. Status Update on Inclusionary Affordable Housing Projects V. OLD BUSINESS A. Single-Family Rehab Program B. Affordable Housing Trust Fund - Request for Applications Process C. 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan/2025 Annual Action Plan & CDBG Budget VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 2025 CDBG Community Needs Survey Results B. Shelter Inc. Fire Alarm and Sprinkler System Update VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. Next Meeting Date & Agenda Items VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Anyone wishing to speak on a subject not on the Agenda may speak at this time. Please limit your comments to three minutes. IX. ADJOURNMENT Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact the Health & Human Services Department, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, healthmail@vah.com or 847/368-5760. Page 1 of 26  DRAFT MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS HOUSING COMMISSION VILLAGE OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS APRIL 16, 2025 IN ATTENDANCE: Commissioners Present: Ken Kiefer Gabriel Nagy David Miller Janice Krinsky Commissioners Absent: William Delea Dave LoSavio Staff Present: Nora Boyer, Housing Planner/Staff Liaison Others Present: Keith Moens, Arlington Heights resident Fred Vogt, Senior Citizens Commission I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Kiefer. II. ROLL CALL Present: K. Kiefer, J. Krinsky, G. Nagy, & D. Miller Absent: W. Delea & D. LoSavio III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Krinsky, seconded by Commissioner Nagy to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2025 meeting. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote. IV. REPORTS Ms. Boyer gave a status update on the Arlington Heights projects subject to Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. • Crescent Place – Opened in November 2023. • Grace Terrace – Approved by the Village Board. • Urban Street Group/International Plaza – Conversations have been going on with staff. A formal Plan Commission application has not yet been received. • 116-120 W Eastman – Demolition expected to begin this summer. • 5 N Douglas – A formal Plan Commission application is expected around May or June 2025. This project will return to the Housing Commission if the affordable housing component of the project has changed. • Arlington 425 – The developer has formally withdrawn the project. The entitlements expire on May 7, 2025. • Berkshire Arlington Heights – A project proposal is expected to go before the Conceptual Plan Review Committee sometime this summer. 1 Page 2 of 26  • Old Arlington Heights Rd/County Lane Townhomes – This project has been approved by the Village Board. Approval of the ordinance is being scheduled. The development will include 1 townhome. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Single-Family Rehab Program There are two active applications. With respect to SFR Case 25-01, the homeowner participated in the Single-Family Rehab Program previously and obtained a loan for $19,462 The difference between that loan amount and the maximum loan amount for a home under the program of $25,000 is $5,538. The homeowner is requesting a loan for window replacements at his home. The cost is expected to be well over the $5,538 with one bid having been received so far which is for $12,600. He has owned the home since 2004. The homeowner receives Social Security as his source of income. Ms. Boyer said that the Housing Commission has made exceptions to the maximum loan amount of $25,000 twenty-seven times (5% of past loans) in the past. The current loan amount of $19,462 plus the bid amount of $12,600 would total $32,062 which is within the range of the exceptions approved previously. Ms. Boyer said that she was seeking informal feedback on whether the Housing Commission would consider a total in loans on this home over $25,000. She cautioned that a lead-based paint test of the home would be required. If lead-based paint is found it would increase the total cost for the project. There was general concurrence that the Housing Commission is willing to look at this request and asked that Ms. Boyer provide the information needed to review the project at a future meeting. SFR Case 25-02 was received the day before the meeting. Ms. Boyer said that it sounds like the house is not in good shape. Needs may include a new roof, electric work, plumbing work, and HVAC replacement. The house was built in approximately 1965 and the existing furnace is original to the house. Ms. Boyer said that she is in the process of doing the eligibility determination. B. Affordable Housing Trust Fund Ms. Boyer has been looking at some other municipalities’ trust fund programs and processes. She has suggested that the Housing Commissioners look at the Village of Oak Park’s process as a possible model. Their model includes a rubric with criteria for evaluating applications to the trust fund. The criteria would need to be written to be responsive to the Village of Arlington Heights priorities and policies. The model will be looked at in more detail at the next meeting. The Commissioners who had a chance to look at the Oak Park process before the meeting responded favorably to examining it further as a possible model. Ms. Boyer said that she has a meeting with a staff person at Oak Park to discuss their experiences under their process. Ms. Boyer asked if the Housing Commission would be interested in working on the request for applications for possibly a larger project and also looking as developing a program that would be smaller but on-going. Commission Miller suggested contacting the management companies at the older, existing affordable housing buildings in Arlington Heights to see if they have any needs that might be funded through the trust fund. Ms. Boyer said that she would reach out to the management companies. C. Village Board of Trustees 2026-2027 Strategic Plan A draft of the Housing Commission’s feedback concerning the Village Board 2026-2027 Strategic Plan discussion. 2 Page 3 of 26 A motion was made by Commissioner Krinsky, seconded by Commissioner Miller, to approve the February 6, 2025 Memorandum to the Village Board for consideration during their 2026-2027 Strategic Plan discussion. The Motion: Passed Ayes: K. Kiefer, J. Krinsky, D. Miller & G. Nagy Nays: None Absent: W. Delea & D. LoSavio VI. NEW BUSINESS A. 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan including 2025- 2026 CDBG Funding Applications There was a discussion of past CDBG funding requests from the Housing Commission and the amounts. Ms. Boyer provided information on the estimated revenue. Ms. Boyer said that staff is looking into possibly recommending that the administration of the Single-Family Rehab Program be contracted out to a non-profit agency such as the Northwest Housing Partnership in the hope that more homes. The Northwest Housing Partnership administers the single- family rehab programs for Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, and Skokie. A motion was may by Commissioner Nagy, seconded by Commissioner Krinsky, to recommend to the Village Board that CDBG funds be allocated for program year 2025-2026 for the Single-Family Rehab Loan Program in the amount of $100,000 and for the Group Home Rehab Loan Program in the amount of $110,000. The Motion: Passed Ayes: K. Kiefer, J. Krinsky, D. Miller & G. Nagy Nays: None Absent: W. Delea & D. LoSavio Ms. Boyer was asked to bring the results of the 2025 CDBG Community Needs Survey to the next meeting. B. Review of Arlington Heights Zoning Map Copies of the Village’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map were brought to the meeting for examination by the Housing Commissioners. VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. NEXT MEETING DATE AND AGENDA Ms. Boyer said the Shelter Inc. is experiencing change orders for the fire alarm system/sprinkler system project at their shelter care home. The approximate amount of that the project is over budget by about $31,420. The original grant for the project cost is $43,332. Shelter Inc. called asking about the possibility of applying for more CDBG funds in the next program year (2025-2026). There may be issues with trying to use 2025-2026 funds retroactively to this program year. There are some unallocated funds remaining in the Group Home Rehab program for 2025-2026. There was concern on the Housing Commission about the amount of the change orders on top of the original project cost. If Shelter Inc. wishes to request additional CDBG funds, it was asked that a representative from Shelter Inc. attend the next Housing Commission meeting with information about the reasons for the increases 3 Page 4 of 26 in cost. Commissioner Krinsky talked about the importance of this program for the young men served by the home. Shelter Inc. has said that they have been raising funds from other sources to cover part of the increased cost. Ms. Boyer said that she will invite Shelter Inc. to attend the next Housing Commission meeting to discuss their need and request. Topics for the Next Meeting: • Trust Fund process and application including additional information from the Village of Oak Park • Shelter, Inc. fire alarm system/sprinkler system project Commissioner Nagy mentioned the “Missing Middle Housing” workshop scheduled for May 1, 2025 10 am – noon in Oak Park. Commissioner Nagy and Ms. Boyer plan to attend. B. PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Moens commented that the public services funding requests typically are double the amount of CDBG funds available for public services and asked if consideration is being given to funding higher levels of those requests. It was commented that the public service requests generally do not fall under the purview of the Housing Commission. The comment regarding additional funding for public services can be made before the Trustees at the public hearings on the Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. VIII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Krinsky, seconded by Commissioner Nagy to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved by voice vote. The meeting ended at 8:25pm. Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 7:00 pm 4 Page 5 of 26 Housing Commission Meeting Date: May 21, 2025 SINGLE-FAMILY REHAB PROGRAM STATUS REPORT – October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 FILE # APPLICATION OUT TO SCOPE OF WORK STAFF PROJ CHANGE TOTAL PAID TO STATUS SUMMARY COST SUFFIX SUBMITTED BID ESIMATE COST ORDERS PROJECT DATE COST Work completed. 24-02 By Replace pipes in $10,000 $9,600 $9,600 $9,600 HE408 3/26/2024 Owner basement The homeowner has a prior loan of $19,461.10. 25-01 Replacement windows $12,000 BR2014 3/18/2025 Remaining amount available up to the max. of $25,000: $5,538.90. Determining eligibility. Cost of work expected to 25-02 MA1204 4/15/2025 exceed $25,000 program maximum. SFR LOAN PROGRAM - FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2024/2025 CDBG allocation: $62,688.00 SFR Case 24-02 - $9,600.00 Estimated balance $53,088.00 Loans Repaid CDBG Fiscal Year To Date: 10/1/24 – 9/30/25 Case # Date Paid Yrs to Repayment Amount Reason sold (if known) Page 6 of 26 Date: May 14, 2025 To: Chairman and Members of the Housing Commission From: Nora Boyer, Housing Planner Attachments: A. Village of Oak Park Affordable Housing Trust Fund Disbursements B. Article: “Oak Park approved $1.9m in funding for affordable housing At the April 16, 2025 Housing Commission meeting, the Housing Commission discussed developing an application process for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. A link was provided for the Village of Oak Park’s application process that could potentially serve as a model: https://www.oak- park.us/Community/Housing/Housing-Trust-Fund. Ms. Boyer said that she would be meeting with a representative of the Village of Oak Park before the next Housing Commission meeting to talk about their experiences with their process. That meeting was held on May 1, 2025. Below are key take-aways from the meeting:  Oak Park’s Trust Fund balance had reached approximately $3 million compared to Arlington Heights current balance of $1 million when Oak Park starting making awards from their trust fund.  A copy of Oak Park’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund Disbursements is attached to this memo.  Oak Park has a broader description of eligible projects than does Arlington Heights.  Contributions to new construction development projects for “gap financing” have been in the form of grants toward IHDA Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)-financed projects. Conditional commitment letters are provided after projects have been approved to submit full LIHTC applications to IHDA. Sometimes funds are tied up for lengthy periods of time while the LIHTC applications are reviewed, and the LIHTC applications are sometimes not approved.  Oak Park and Arlington Heights share the concern about the lack of predictability when it comes to inclusionary housing fee-in-lieu payments into the trust funds. Oak Park is working on some alternative, more stable, funding sources such as a recently approved demolition fee and tax on short-term rentals.  Oak Park and Arlington Heights have had similar conversations about funding on-going programs with predictable, steady income into the trust fund and contributing periodically to developments when there is sufficient funding in the trust funds from inclusionary housing fees-in-lieu of units. Page 7 of 26  Attachment A Village of Oak Park Page 8 of 26 Attachment B Page 9 of 26 Page 10 of 26 Page 11 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Number of Respondents: 163 CDBG Community Needs Survey Survey Results FINAL 04/17/2025 https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 1/175 Page 12 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Pick the best fit for your role in the community. I am a resident of the Village of Arlington Heights (proceed to question 4) 96% (156) I represent a community organization, business, or other stakeholder in Arlington Heights. 4% (7) If you represent a community organization, business, or stakeholder, please provide the name of your organization. This question is optional. Ascension Center for Mental Health (Alexian Brothers) El Rey Music Center Access to Care C.I.T.Y. of Support World cort FamilyForward Wheeling Township Shelter, Inc. If you represent a community organization, business, or stakeholder, please select the type of organization/stakeholder. This question is optional. Business owner or employee 18% (2) Elected/Appointed Official 27% (3) Health and Social Services 27% (3) Housing and Real Estate 0% (0) Local Unit of Government 9% (1) Religious 0% (0) Other (please explain) 18% (2) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 2/175 Page 13 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Select the top 3 COMMUNITY SERVICE needs that you feel should be addressed with CDBG funds. Anti-Crime Programs 40% (65) Case Management Services 9% (15) Child Care Services 19% (31) Counseling Services 18% (29) Cultural Services 7% (11) Financial Education 13% (21) Health Services and Clinics 28% (45) Language and Literacy Programs 9% (14) Legal Services 5% (8) Mental Health Services 39% (64) Senior Activities 17% (28) Services for Abused Children 14% (23) Transportation for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities to Medical Appointments 37% (60) Other Transportation Services 11% (18) Youth Activities 15% (24) Other (please explain below) 6% (10) None of the above 0% (0) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 3/175 Page 14 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Select the top 3 HOUSING needs that you feel should be addressed with CDBG funds. Affordable Rental Housing 39% (64) Affordable Senior Housing 47% (77) Aging in Place 42% (68) Emergency Shelter 13% (22) Energy Efficiency Improvements 25% (40) Fair Housing Services and Enforcement 14% (23) Foreclosure Prevention 6% (9) Home Improvement Programs 27% (44) Homeownership Assistance 15% (24) Housing for People with Disabilities 18% (29) Lead-Based Paint Testing and Abatement 12% (19) Rental Assistance 11% (18) Other (please explain below) 3% (5) None of the above 2% (4) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 5/175 Page 15 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content buildings are fine but there either needs to be caps on rent or avenues and assistances for people to purchase and RESIDE in the properties. Bring more people in and you get more commerce and tax revenue. More assistance for long time Arlington Heights residents and Less section 8 Instead of building affordable housing/rental units, developers have been getting away with putting money into the Village affordable housing fund. That is not enough to build affordable housing. We need to actually BUILD physical buildings to house people who work in our city with rents/mortgages that they can afford. The million dollar mansions and rentals units that are more than $1800/month are impossible for people to afford. Very difficult to choose 3. Needs are extensive. Select the top 3 COMMUNITY FACILITY needs that you feel should be addressed with CDBG funds. Child Care Centers 40% (66) Health Care Facilities 31% (50) Libraries 33% (54) Parks and Recreational Facilities 53% (86) Schools 34% (55) Senior Centers 31% (50) Youth Centers 30% (49) Other (please explain below) 2% (3) None of the above 6% (9) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 7/175 Page 16 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Provide any comments on COMMUNITY FACILITY needs. More open, green spaces like co-op gardening, greenhouse, and a dog park. These will build community and social well-being. Mental Health centers Better quality child care facilities with trained professionals to prevent the actions of South Kindercare None for the same reasons as mentioned before. Also, library services should be reduced. The property tax Levy is excessive for this artifact. Parks parks parks. Other communities have new parks, we seem to be falling behind. Keep green space too! Fields next to playgrounds shouldn’t be tore up for any reason (see Klehm Park) Many of the items such as the library, our separate taxing bodies and the villages. And that the villagesCBDG funds Should not be used to improve other taxing bodies services or facilities. But that these funds are for the village to improve its services and facilities. Solar panels on community facilities Seniors have been given short shrift by AH. The senior center is in an awkward location and doesn't even have a proper walking path. What passes as one is just walking through the building. Why not let seniors use the ARC track for free? Arlington international 1/25 cars Utilizing existing should be stressed Emergency housing/shelter for families facing homelessness. Something like Evanston has done with the Margarita Inn and Connections for the Homeless. Young families cannot afford the cost of day care. Affordable day care is a huge need in our community. Support for unhoused people Select the top 3 SPECIALIZED SERVICE needs that you feel should be addressed with CDBG funds. Domestic Violence Services and Centers 26% (42) Education/Job Training 33% (54) Food Pantries 33% (54) Handicapped Accessibility 15% (24) HIV/AIDS Services and Centers 1% (1) Homeless Services and Shelters 31% (50) Mental Health 39% (63) Senior Services 28% (45) Services and Centers for Neglected/Abused Children 22% (36) Services and Centers for Persons with Disabilities 22% (36) Substance Abuse Services and Centers 15% (25) Other (please explain below) 1% (1) None of the above 3% (5) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 8/175 Page 17 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Provide any comments on SPECIALIZED SERVICE needs. Emergency vehicles provided for seniors Everything is expensive, especially food. More funds to the food pantry would be nice I believe it’s within the village’s mission to provide services with these funds for individuals with disabilities and our seniors to be Better able to access city businesses, such as grocery stores, healthcare, facilities, and The village’s events, and facilities. You're focusing on all the victim groups. I guess that's par for the course in Illinois. AH sure has deteriorated thanks to liberal policies. Probably a good idea to put in place services for people to learn new skills after losing a job they have had for 25 years. We have to prioritize the needs of people with disabilities and their families in order to provide them with accessibility to equal rights within our community. AH should do everything possible to keep our elderly in their homes and our community. The number of evictions continues to grow, and we need an emergency shelter for families who find themselves on the street (usually living out of their cars). Select the top 3 JOB AND BUSINESS needs that you feel should be addressed with CDBG funds. Commercial and Industrial Rehabilitation 32% (52) Employment Training 50% (82) Facade Improvement 21% (34) Job Creation and Retention 54% (88) Small Business Technical Assistance 38% (62) Start Up Business Assistance 45% (73) Other (please explain below) 2% (3) None of the above 10% (16) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 9/175 Page 18 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Provide any comments on JOB AND BUSINESS needs. More opportunities for Trades training, ie electrical apprentice, general construction Small businesses need help. Amazon, Walmart, etc crush them with economies of scale. Assistance for small businesses is crucial to keeping AH a desirable suburb to visit I selected three items in this question because that was what was asked to me. But I do not believe that Camille Black development grand funds should be used. Job and business needs. Unless it was to help assist those looking for employment to develop the skills to find employment. Lower property lease cost for small businesses waste of money. AH, especially the library, has been profligate with taxpayers money. Removal of parking mandates so that small businesses can start up without having to pay for unnecessary parking spaces. Reducing the number of vacant storefronts by helping to make the rent more affordable, especially to smaller businesses/organizations. Tax deductions for keeping spaces vacant only reduce city business/income. Local839 Need more training opportunities for the trades. Arlington Heights is finally seeing a revitalization in the downtown. It is filled with unique businesses. Many of these places struggle with the insane rent prices in the downtown. Margins are incredibly narrow and the smallest things can shut a business down. Reward businesses for staying open and employing Arlington Heights residents. Punish chains that push local businesses out. We don’t need Panera back. Why is the theater sitting vacant. The more unique businesses the higher the draw is to the downtown in general. Arlington Heights is close to becoming a destination. Al Fresco looks sloppy and half baked. Cobblestone the streets and make it permanent. Long Grove shouldn’t be the Hallmark movie filming location when we have the better commerce. alternate usages for vacant stores/shops Select the top 3 NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE needs. Code Enforcement Services 24% (39) Neighborhood Watch Programs 39% (64) Police Service 49% (80) Recycling Service 35% (57) Trash Removal Service 21% (34) Tree Planting/Preservation 61% (99) Other (please explain below) 9% (14) None of the above 5% (8) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 10/175 Page 19 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Select the top 3 INFRASTRUCTURE needs that you feel should be addressed with CDBG funds. Bike Path Improvements 30% (49) Drainage Improvements 40% (66) Sidewalk Improvements 46% (75) Street Improvements 44% (72) Street Lighting Improvements 26% (43) Traffic Congestion 23% (38) Water and Sewer Improvements 44% (71) Other (please explain below) 7% (12) None of the above 2% (3) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 12/175 Page 20 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Select the top 3 COMMUNITY PRIORITIES that should be addressed with CDBG funding over the next 5 years. Affordable Housing 41% (67) Business Assistance 12% (19) Child Care Assistance 18% (30) Code Enforcement Services 4% (7) Crime Prevention 34% (56) Drainage Improvements 15% (25) Employment Training 9% (14) Energy Efficiency 12% (20) Foreclosures 1% (1) Health Services 7% (12) Home Improvement Program 10% (17) Homeless Prevention and Support 22% (36) Mental Health 18% (30) Pedestrian Accessibility 12% (20) Persons with Disabilities 9% (14) Public Transportation 10% (17) Recycling and Trash Services 2% (4) Senior Citizens 17% (27) Substance Abuse 1% (1) Traffic Congestion 5% (8) Vacant Lots and Buildings 16% (26) Youth Programs 6% (10) Other (please explain below) 2% (3) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 14/175 Page 21 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content What are the PRIMARY OBSTACLES facing the low- and moderate-income residents of our community? Access to High-Speed Internet 15% (24) Crime/Violence 22% (36) Lack of Education Opportunities 20% (33) Language/Literacy Skills 22% (36) Mental Health Issues 34% (55) Nutrition/Physical Activity 20% (33) Racism/Discrimination 17% (28) Lack of Social/Recreational Opportunities 12% (20) Transportation Issues 40% (66) Other (please explain below) 13% (21) None of the above 10% (17) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 16/175 Page 22 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Please provide any comments you may have on OBSTACLES facing the low- and moderate-income residents. I think AH officials don’t realize how the needs of the community are changing. They need to be more responsive and forward thinking. Affordable childcare Severe lack of affordable housing units in Arlington Heights compared to population, especially family subsidies (non section 202/8) Support single mothers in efforts to force fathers to provide financial support for their children. Affordable housing, and entry level housing for public employees, and lower income residents. Not sure Note that low income residents (and visitors) are often the CAUSE of crime. Therefore, I oppose implementing HUD programs to increase the low income population. Unknown Limit toxic food choices re: sugary drinks and toxic ingredients in food items with the snap food program I believe our community should provide services for those who lack skills for proper employment, lack access to mental health services and provide proper public transportation. Moderate income longtime residents are being priced out of their homes because of the onerous property taxes to support all the deadbeats. Lack of affordable housing in AH, struggle to afford improvements to home. They have low income, and nothing VAH does is going to change that. I don’t know Affordable housing Access to childcare Cost of living Lack of affordable housing is a HUGE issue for anyone that makes under $64k in our Village. We need options for people that work in VAH that want to live here. Solutions for teachers, police, fire, aides, essential works, etc. Lack of desire to assimilate. In addition, there needs to be more programs that offer biliteracy to engage local community members that spea more than one language but still needs enriching experiencing with socializing. The primary obstacle of low and moderate income residents is the obvious lack of money. Everything is more difficult and stressful, and that certainly doesn't help one's mental health. Education and transportation are also important. I think there are very few obstacles for these residents Affordable housing is the biggest obstacle for lower to moderate income residents, especially seniors who are living a fixed income. A third obstacle is that residents do not know what available resources/programs they qualify for. More focused outreach is needed in our community to share resources with people and help them apply for the benefits they are eligible for. It is not enough to share about it on social media platforms. I recommend going to current affordable housing locations and providing incentives to gain the feedback from residents through focus groups. We also have many residents who are bilingual and English is not their first language. We need more outreach that ensures residents understand what services are available in their native language Housing is the biggest issue for moderate income residents. Affording housing crime is up in AH. Need to address the hotels and low income housing crime areas We need to address that racism and discrimination is not blatantly committing hate crimes. This village has been predominantly white and wealthy and the inherent structure of the township will continue to enforce that power dynamic. Addressing ALL people’s low income problems will increase diversity in this town which I believe makes a great town the best town. I don’t believe any of the obstacles listed entirely address the problem but ultimately would love to see some sort of small scale jobs program as well as any amount of government assistance for basic needs which as listed above could be as simple as access to internet and phone coverage. You can’t get a job if they can’t reach you. Literacy and language is always important. Enter nutrition in schools /more healthy grocery stores Hight properties taxes Affordable housing Lack of affordable housing Affordable housing. https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 17/175 Page 23 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content Housing affordability/attainability Which CDBG-funded ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT activities would most benefit the community if supported with CDBG funding? CDBG funds may be used for LIMITED economic development activities that demonstrate specific benefits to low- and moderate-income individuals or neighborhoods. Activities carried out by Community-Based Development Organizations (CBDOs) 28% (45) Vacant or Underutilized Commercial or Industrial Buildings undertaken for use by Nonprofit Organizations or Public Entities 45% (73) Grants, Loans, or Loan Guarantees for Private, For-Profit Businesses 23% (37) Job Training 50% (81) Microenterprise Development 13% (22) Public Facilities/Public Improvements to support Economic Development Projects 45% (73) Technical Assistance to Businesses 15% (24) Other (please explain below) 2% (4) None of the above 8% (13) Please provide any comments you may have on housing and community development needs and priorities. Senior housing. One floor moderate size units I believe that improvement of public services that would assist in economical development should be the villages for his priority. And the top priority I believe on that list of activities should be public transportation. Water/sewer line replacement grants We want to support small businesses but property leases are too high. Improved transit options so people can get to jobs without needing cars. It would be helpful to have more transparency for the demographics, needs, and decisions being made regarding housing needs. Get rid of ugly half vacant commercial properties, and turn them into attractive affordable housing options. Lack of affordable housing. Would like to see unused office space or motels/hotels converted to housing for low-income families. Housing affordable The second bullet point about vacant lots is important however should be expanded beyond just non profit and public entity use. We should having housing/rental properties that people who work here as teachers, restaurant workers, healthcare, etc can afford to live in our community. See comments below on 5-year priorities. https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 18/175 Page 24 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content How do you find out about programs benefitting you and other local residents? Select the 3 most effective forms of outreach. Brochures and Pamphlets 21% (35) Community Festivals 17% (27) Community Outreach Programs 15% (24) Educational Videos 1% (1) Flyers and Posters 18% (29) Newspaper Articles 28% (45) Partnerships with Local Organizations 21% (34) Public Forums and Meetings 15% (24) Resource Fairs 4% (6) Social Media Campaigns 39% (63) Television and Radio Advertisements 4% (6) Volunteer Opportunities 8% (13) Website Content and Online Databases 47% (77) Workshops and Seminars 6% (10) Other 7% (12) None of the above 3% (5) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 19/175 Page 25 of 26 4/17/25, 8:59 AM Polco | Content How did you hear about this survey? Email Invitation 28% (45) Flyer 0% (0) Newsletter 14% (23) Social Media 28% (45) Social Service Provider 2% (3) Survey Event 1% (1) Website 21% (34) Other 7% (11) https://polco.us/n/admin/content/74892e53-3226-4dda-8a3c-13745bb99abb/report 21/175 Page 26 of 26