Deadline approaching for funding application to fix Rockford public housing

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR FUNDING APPLICATION TO FIX ROCKFORD PUBLIC HOUSING

13 WREX February 24, 2015 One local government agency says it’s looking to merge ideas with the City of Rockford to improve public housing.  But, the clock is ticking on the chance to fix it. According to Rockford Housing Authority CEO Ron Clewer, the federal government has $10-million worth of low-income housing tax credits, which RHA.  Those tax credits would then be sold to private investors and RHA would use that funding to revamp public housing, starting with the west side. “The tax credit application that we would submit would be to fund the first phase of Fairgrounds’ redevelopment,” says RHA Redevelopment Project Manager Jodi Stromberg. RHA leaders can’t disclose specific details of that first phase until the city and aldermen give input.  RHA also can’t apply for these tax credits without a nod from aldermen.  That’s because parts of the first phase require city council approval.  That’s why this week, both RHA and city leaders are sitting down to vet ideas on strategies for improving public housing– an area where both sides don’t exactly see eye-to-eye.  Last month, RHA tried to get the city to help it apply for millions of federal dollars through what’s called the Choice Grant.  But, aldermen weren’t satisfied with the proposal. “It wasn’t a plan.  If we want to continue to make the same mistakes over and over again that would’ve been fine, but I’m not going to be a part of making the same mistakes over and over again,” says 7th Ward Alderman Ann Thompson-Kelly, who voted against the grant partnership with RHA last month. The chance for Choice Grant funding has come and gone.  The application deadline was February 7th.  Now, this time around, the stakes are even higher. “Truly, we have to meet that March 27th deadline,” Stromberg says. If the tax credit application deadline is missed, RHA says there’s no other financing option for improving public housing by millions of dollars.  Why?  In a phone call Tuesday evening, RHA CEO Ron Clewer says the federal government is expecting an application from RHA.  The Rockford Housing Authority beat out other communities for the chance to apply.  If the feds don’t get a proposal, there are consequences, which could eliminate the chance of getting federal tax credits for future RHA projects. “Truly, it is in the best interest of the city, RHA, for residents and neighborhoods to move forward with this,” Stromberg adds. Aldermen, city staff and RHA leaders are scheduled meet Thursday and Friday of this week for discussions.  We’ll keep you updated on that process. Read the full story here at 13 WREX: http://www.wrex.com/story/28193855/2015/02/24/deadline-approaching-for-funding-application-to-fix-rockford-public-housing]]>