Peoria City Council approves $475,000 grant to demolish more vacant homes
Peoria City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the $475,000 grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). It's the second round of funding for the Strong Communities Program.
Joe Dulin, the city's community development director, said they demolished more than 90 blighted homes in the first round to make way for new affordable housing in the East Bluff and the Southside.
This includes Church View Gardens, the Southside's first new housing complex in more than 20 years. Dulin said the additional funding will allow them to demolish 40 more homes.
But there was debate among city councilmembers about what kind of developers they should work with.
'But I wish we would have a little bit more compassion for what really built our neighborhood and instead of how do we get the investors from Jersey to come here and make investments until their tax credits run out and the place becomes a disaster,' said At-Large City Councilman John Kelly.
First District City Councilwoman Denise Jackson said rental developments should also be on the table to increase access to housing.
'You live in a community that has developed this infamous distinction as one of the poorest zip codes in the country, you have so much poverty as a result of years and years of disinvestment. And you come to the realization that folks living in this area, some of which are not in position to purchase a home,' she said.
The Strong Communities Program is a state initiative that provides grant funding to local government agencies to address affordable housing needs and revitalize communities. The program is funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and managed by IDHA.
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