McLean County Times

City of Pontiac Special Housing Study Committee met October 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Special Housing Study Utilities Committee meeting of the Pontiac City Council was held on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Alderman Cranford called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm

The City Administrator took roll, and the following members were present: Cranford, and Barr. Also present were Mayor Alvey, Howard, GLCEDC Adam Dontz and IHDA Amy Bashiti. City Administrator Woolford acted as secretary.

Agenda

IHDA Presentation

Amy Bashiti introduced herself. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA acts as a quasi- government mortgage bank and oversees state and federal housing programs. Her office includes 2 other planners. Section 42 of the IRS code on low-income housing is what led to the small communities' study program, since many small communities have no planning staff. Bashiti advised the study, and report will incorporate market analysis data collected by IHDA and a community wide survey hosted on the IHDA website. The city will need a core group of volunteers to walk the city in zones gathering GIS data and documenting information such as housing, streets and sidewalks, conditions and blight. Some communities add Parks and Recreation and Childcare components to the study, but that is typically outside the scope of the IHDA goal. The finished plan can let developers know that there is a plan and will make projects more readily available for low-income housing credits.

Grants available that the study will assist in applying for include affordable housing grants, repair and accessibility grants and Strong Communities blighted property grants.

Bashiti stated her estimate would require at least 15 Pontiac volunteers to effectively conduct the block- by-block study.

The next steps were to complete information sent to the committee and to prep for the community needs assessment survey.

Discussion was held on a timeline. Bashiti stated the typical timeline was 12 months, which includes a couple of community meetings.

Goals of Committee

Cranford indicated the housing plan can be complimentary in other goals of the city related to recreation and revitalization.

Presentation-Adam Dontz: After the IHDA discussion, Mr. Dontz had nothing else to add at this time.

Adjournment

https://www.pontiac.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10012024-1085