Investment Will Provide Support to Five Non-Profit Housing Developers, Impacting More Than 300 Housing Units

CHICAGO – As part of his Keep Warm Illinois campaign to help Illinoisans stay warm, healthy and safe this winter, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced nearly $715,000 in affordable housing construction grants that will allow five non-profit housing developers to use energy efficient design at more than 300 housing units in Chicago.  This support will help to greatly reduce monthly utility bills for low-income residents and increase the use of green building technologies.  This funding comes from the Governor’s Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). 

“As energy prices continue to soar, we need to work harder than ever to find innovative solutions to help our working families manage their home utility bills, especially those already struggling to get by.  Investing in energy efficient design in new construction is the smartest way to bring about major cost savings from day one and will continue to ensure that affordable housing truly remains affordable for those who need it the most,” said Gov. Blagojevich.

Under the Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program, grants are provided to Illinois based non-profit housing developers to include energy efficient building practices in the rehabilitation or new construction of affordable housing units.  Average energy savings range from 50 to 75 percent per unit.  The program also works to demonstrate the lower housing costs that can be achieved through energyefficiency; identifies and maximizes cost effective energy efficiency opportunities present in rehab and new construction; and educates developers, architects and builders about the various energy efficient building measures and “green” building products.  Over the past four years, Gov. Blagojevich has provided more than $3 million in funding through this program, which has led to the development of nearly 1,800 units of energy efficient housing across the state.

Grant recipients include:

Grantee	Project Location	Total Housing Units	Funding
Interfaith Housing Development	4041 W. Roosevelt	58	$441,361
	333 E. 55th Place	27
	338 E. 56th St	27
	1637,1901,1941 W. 59th St.	18
	6355-57 S. Wood	6
	2115-21 W. 63rd St	28
Breakthrough Urban Ministries	402 N. St. Louis	30	$24,546
Near West Side Community Development Corporation	1424-28 S. Trumbull 1310-16 S. Spaulding	25	$63,250
Joshua Ministries	202 S. Sacramento Blvd.	6	$8,365
Hispanic Housing Development Corporation	2634-54 W. North Ave.	77	$177,200
Total:		302	$714,722

                 
“Gov. Blagojevich and I believe in helping our fine local organizations create more truly affordable housing in way that is also going to protect our environment.  These grants are going to help us accomplish these two very important goals,” State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) said.

“Many of us take for granted having a warm and safe place to call home.  Unfortunately, some people are forced to make very difficult decisions due to rising energy costs.  I want to thank Gov. Blagojevich for investing in this program that is making a real difference in our community,” State Senator Rickey Hendon (D-Chicago) said.

“Not only are Gov. Blagojevich and I both committed to helping build more affordable housing, but we want to make sure it stays that way.  By promoting more energy efficient design, we can ensure that people will spend less money on their energy bills and more money to help build better lives,” State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) said.

“Gov. Blagojevich’s Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program is a critical resource for our community because it is helping build homes that offer residents a manageable cost of living.  This is another fine example of how economic development efforts make the greatest impact when working at the community level,” said State Rep. Annazette Collins (D-Chicago).

“Rising energy costs have made home utility bills unmanageable for many low-income residents.  Building energy efficient homes is a forward thinking approach that will yield major cost savings to those who need it most.  Through this innovative program, Gov. Blagojevich is taking a grassroots approach toward community development that is making an impact we can see and feel,” said State Rep. Esther Golar (D-Chicago)

“For affordable housing developments to be effective, residents need to be able to meet the monthly expenses of living in that home.  Gov. Blagojevich is helping build new homes that will generate major savings on monthly utility bills for the people who need it most,” said State Rep. Arthur Turner (D-Chicago).

“Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that an effective economic development strategy must deliver resources and services at the community level.  The Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program is one example of how we can positively impact many lives by partnering with community organizations to do just that,” said State Rep. Cynthia Soto (D-Chicago).

“Energy efficient design applies the same kind of forward thinking approach to home construction that we support in the business community.  Gov. Blagojevich and I believe that community-building development and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand, and, through these grants, we’re helping to build stronger communities.  These affordable housing units will greatly increase energy efficiency and drastically reduce utility costs, which will produce savings that low-income residents can spend on other necessities,” said DCEO Director Jack Lavin.
 
Gov. Blagojevich launched the Keep Warm Illinois campaign and Web site in October to help all Illinoisans stay warm, healthy and safe this winter.  The Keep Warm Illinois campaign brings state agencies together to coordinate efforts in preparing communities across the state for high home heating costs this winter.  The Keep Warm Illinois Web site (www.keepwarm.illinois.gov) offers various no-cost and low-cost energy saving tips, a web-based tool to conduct a home energy audit, links to energy assistance programs and other resources.  In addition, the Keep Warm Illinois hotline (1-877-411-WARM) is another resource for Illinois residents to learn how to save energy and get energy assistance.