Prairie State Wire

Illinois Housing Development Authority issued the following announcement on April 19.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board of Directors today awarded $3 million to 15 units of local government and non-profit organizations across Illinois to help seniors and persons with disabilities make their homes safer and more accessible. Awarded under the state's Home Accessibility Program (HAP), the funding will help to prevent unnecessary and premature nursing home placement by paying for modifications and repairs that allow individuals to age at home. This round of funding is expected to assist at least 120 households.

"The Home Accessibility Program is a great tool to prevent premature or unnecessary institutionalization of Illinois' seniors and persons with disabilities," said IHDA Executive Director Audra Hamernik. "It is imperative this vulnerable population is not only given the opportunity to age in place, but never feels trapped or confined in their own home."

Eligible households may receive up to $25,000 to make home repairs and improvements through a five-year, forgivable loan. The majority of improvements must be for accessibility modifications such as making kitchens and bathrooms accessible, installing ramps or lifts and making repairs that address safety needs. To qualify, households cannot earn more than 80 percent of the area's median income and at least one family member must be an elderly person or an individual with a disability or physical limitation. Program funds can be used to pay for the modification and rehabilitation of rental or owner-occupied single-family homes.

Households can apply for Home Accessibility Program grants by contacting one of the funded HAP sponsors that serves their community who can provide more information on eligibility and the application process. For households that currently reside in an area that is not serviced by HAP, there may be assistance available from a different governmental and/or not-for-profit-entity. Those homeowners are encouraged to contact their nearest housing counseling agency to discuss their options.

HAP Sponsors
Applicant Name	Telephone Number	Address	City	Zip Code	Service Area
BCMW Community Services	618‐532‐7388	909 East Rexford Street	Centralia	62801	Bond, Clinton, Marion and Washington Counties
City of Bloomington	309‐434‐2342	109 E. Olive St.	Bloomington	61701	City of Bloomington
City of Kankakee	815‐939‐2284	304 S. Indiana Avenue	Kankakee	60901	City of Kankakee
Coles County Regional Planning	217‐358‐0521	651 Jackson Ave Room 309	Charleston	61920	Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie and Shelby Counties
Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH)	847‐263‐7478	800 S. Milwaukee Ave, Suite 201	Libertyville	60048	Lake County
North West Housing Partnership	847‐969‐0561	1701 E. Woodfield Rd 203	Schaumburg	60173	Cook, Dupage and Kane Counties
Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency (NICAA)	815‐232‐3141	27 S. State Ave	Freeport	61032	Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties
Project NOW, Inc.	309‐793‐6391	418‐19th Street	Rock Island	61201	Rock Island, Henry and Mercer Counties
Rebuilding Together Aurora	630‐801‐9044	31 W. Downer Pl. #402	Aurora	60506	Aurora Township
Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation	309‐794‐6711	100 19th Street, Ste 109	Rock Island	61201	Rock Island, Whiteside, Carroll, Jo Daviess and Ogle Counties
United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago	708‐444‐8460	7550 West 183rd Street	Tinley Park	60477	Cook County
Wabash Area Development, Inc. (WADI)	618‐963‐2387	110 Latham St	Enfield	62835	Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Wabash, Wayne and White Counties
Western Egyptian EOC, Inc. (WEEOC)	618‐965‐3193	1 Industrial Park	Steeleville	62288	Randolph, Perry, Jackson and Monroe Counties
Will County Center for Community Concerns (WCCCC)	815‐722‐0722	2455 Glenwood Avenue	Joliet	60435	Will County
Winnebago County Health Department	815.720.4218	555 N Court St	Rockford	61103	Winnebago County

Original source can be found here.