Evanston to See Benefits from National Foreclosure Settlement

The Evanston Revitalization Partnership received a $1.5 million grant on July 17, as part of Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s announcement of $70 million to assist housing efforts across the state to help rebuild Illinois communities that have been devastated by the national foreclosure crisis. The grant will address foreclosed and vacant properties in west Evanston neighborhoods that have been heavily impacted by foreclosures subsequent to the City’s receipt of Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 funds and are not targeted by that program. The partnership’s lead entity, Community Partners for Affordable Housing(CPAH), will work with its partners to acquire and rehabilitate at least ten units that will be made available to low- and moderate-income residents.

“This is a great win and the grant money our community will receive will go a long way in helping maintain diversity in local home ownership and rental markets,” explained Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl. “It only makes sense that we as a community work together collaboratively to guarantee access to affordable housing today and for future generations. These funds will help to continue the good work that is already being done here in Evanston to those ends.”

CPAH, a non-profit that works in Chicago’s North Shore suburbs, provides quality affordable housing as well as ongoing support and education to ensure resident success. This grant is “a win-win-win,” said CPAH’s executive director, Rob Anthony. “These homes which have been a drain on the community will improve the block, assist local families who struggle to afford housing and improve the local housing stock.”

“With this grant from the AG’s Office we will be able to target properties in the 2nd Ward and elsewhere that are unoccupied and have major property standard issues,” explained Evanston Alderman Peter Braithwaite (2nd Ward). “We are excited to partner with community partners like Community Partners for Affordable Housing to acquire these properties and transform them into affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families.”

CPAH is viewed as a model throughout the region and has been recognized nationally by the Urban Land Institute, the Lincoln Institute and the National Housing Conference.