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3rd Annual Meeting Held May 17, 2009
Over 50 members and supporters of affordable housing joined
us for our 3rd Annual Meeting. Held at St. Nicholas Church, the
main speakers were Jan Schakowsky, Representative for the
9th District of Illinois, US Congress and Bob Palmer, Policy
Director, Housing Action Illinois.
Those present had an opportunity to hear the speakers' informative
presentations, to discuss questions and issues and to learn about
prospective projects of CLCLT. Both the City of Evanston and
CLCLT will be applying for federal funds to respond to the
foreclosure crisis.
During the meeting, members applauded the newly elected
board members: Vickie Daugherty, Michael Miles and Eugene
Wharton.
Members enjoyed artwork from students in Room 101 at
Oakton School. They were inspired to create images of happy
homes. We thank Principal Daniels, the students and teachers
for sharing their uplifting images.
Guest Speaker Remarks
Congresswoman Schakowsky discussed current federal
considerations for affordable housing. She noted that newly
confirmed HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan, has been well
regarded by affordable housing activities in New York City. He
most recently served as NYC Housing Commissioner. She
noted that HUD program funding levels would likely be
sustained. However, Congress would be hard pressed to find
additional affordable housing funds in the near future, she
observed. She welcomed our efforts to provide alternatives for
those seeking affordable housing.
Bob Palmer provided an in depth overview of current housing
market considerations. He noted the increasing need for
affordable rental housing. The foreclosure crisis has increased
demand for affordable units in good areas since former
homeowners now needed to rent. He described some of the
effects on affordable housing initiatives from two
perspectives: the financial termoil of the last year and recent
political changes in Springfield. He also noted recent
Sun-Times reports on apparent abuse of affordable housing
policies in Chicago and described ways to avoid them for
future projects statewide. The community land trust model
(CLT) is an inherently strong method for maintaining
permanently affordable projects. Assisted homebuyers can sell
their homes but not the land, retained by the CLT.
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March Community Meeting Held
Prospective buyers joined us at our last Community
Meeting. Held on March 26, 2009 at the Evanston Ecology
Center, we were joined by representatives
from Evanston CHDOs, HUD-certified homebuyer's
counselors as well as a representative from North Shore
Community Bank. Dennis Marino from the City of Evanston
provided an overview of current economic conditions and
City of Evanston affordable housing efforts.
Topics included mortgage lending requirements today as
well as homebuyers' assistance programs. Evanston
Community Development Association and Reba Place CDC
staff described their affordable housing options available
now. The benefits of the community land trust model were
described.
Please contact us about up-coming events being planned for
the summer.
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2212 Washington Street
Evanston, Illinois
House FOR SALE: $169,000
Photo source: Evanstonnow.com (used with permission)
Our renovation work is complete. Thanks to the charitable contributions of Citizens' Lighthouse Community Land Trust members and donors, this home has been made more energy-efficient with insulation installed in each exterior facing wall. It has also been thoroughly improved so that no wear from the last 50 years of use remains.
The home's systems have been completely renewed, including plumbing and wiring. The bathroom and kitchen have been totally renewed down to the studs. The heating system and flooring have been substantially improved. Every fixture and appliance, save the recent range, is new.
This house represents an outstanding opportunity for a family to begin the home ownership experience without worry about unforeseen problems related to prior wear and poor maintenance.
The house is being sold at an affordable price; special conditions apply. Please contact us at office@citizenslighthouse.org. We will continue to market the house until the actual transfer of title to the new owner.
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Affordable Housing and Foreclosure Avoidance Community Meeting held November 13, 2008
A community meeting was held on November 13, 2008 to discuss affordable housing programs and housing
counseling assistance. Held at the Levy Senior Center, it was sponsored by the following
organizations: CEDA Neighbors at Work, Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, Evanston
Community Development Association (ECDA) and Evanston Housing Coalition. Ald. Holmes and Ald.
Jean-Baptiste co-sponsored the meeting.
Topics included a description of resources available for moderate income housing and a presentation on
assistance available to those potentially facing foreclosure. Participants were invited to join in the discussion
with questions and comments.
All persons interested in attending future meetings should contact any of the sponsors or CLCLT at
office@citizenslighthouse.org.
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Grant Award Received
We are happy to announce that we have been awarded a grant from The Field Foundation of Illinois, Inc. The
grant provides funds for general operation support. We are grateful for the generous support of The Field
Foundation for our work to develop permanantly affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families.
Please feel free to contact us about possible future projects. Send your inquiries to
office@citizenslighthouse.org.
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High Water Fails to Deter Families Seeking Affordable Housing Opportunities
Last month's once-in-a-century rain storms flooded Evanston streets and the Edens Expressway as well as interstate highways across the region. Yet on September 13th, the same day that a month's worth of rain fell on Evanston, two families kept their commitment to visit our open house on a quiet South Evanston street. Their determination is indicative of the large and growing demand for affordable housing in Evanston.
CLCLT is unique because it retains ownership of the land in trust while selling the house to a qualified family. Typically federal housing funds are applied to purchasing and improving the house. These funds have income limits related to family and house size. State affordable housing funds have similar limitations.
Ironically, we obtained our first house a year ago, just as the current financial disaster began to dramatically unfold. Even then, the real estate market was reacting to the first remarkable waves of rapid changes in the housing and credit markets. We are fortunate to have a good working relationship with local banks. One of them provided construction financing at very favorable terms.
Although sweeping changes have affected the housing industry, we still have families of modest income receiving mortgage commitments to buy a house. Even in the best of times, buying a house was a daunting affair. We want to help all interested families, those who are ready as well as those who are planning for the future. Our organization is committed to supporting families that want and need affordable housing in Evanston.
Our board members and supporters work closely with each family as they plan to buy the house. CEDA Neighbors at Work is an Evanston organization that provides homebuyer counseling. We work closely with them and with HODC, another counseling agency serving Evanston. Our organizational structure includes board seats specifically designated for those who buy our homes and enter into a land lease with CLCLT. So it is unremarkable that, despite the swelling foreclosure crisis, nationally less than one tenth of one per cent of homes in a community land trust portfolio suffered a foreclosure during 2007
(source: National Community Land Trust Network).
Please contact us even if you are just thinking about home ownership. We want to work with you to realize your dreams of an affordable home in Evanston.
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Remember that completion of a government-approved homebuyer counseling program is a requirement for all applicants. Feel free to contact Housing Opportunity Development Corporation, CEDA Neighbors at Work or Rogers Park Community Development Corporation directly to schedule a session.
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Citizens' Lighthouse Community Land Trust (CLCLT)
has gratefully accepted the support grants from the
following donors: the Bank of America, Patrick and Anna
M Cudahy Fund, The root2fruit program of the Evanston
Community Foundation, and The Field Foundation.
We gratefully acknowledge a gift from the firm of
Morgante-Wilson Architects, Ltd., Evanston, Illinois.
*CLCLT is a member of the
Network for Evanston's
Future.
Please contact us by email at
office@citizenslighthouse.org
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Our office is located at:
960 Grove Street
Evanston, Illinois 60201
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Fair Housing Act: Fair housing is a right protected by
law. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits
discrimination in housing because of race or color,
national origin, religion, sex, familial status, sexual
orientation, or disability. The Citizens Lighthouse
Community Land Trust practices fair housing and does not
discriminate on any basis prohibited by federal, state,
or local law.
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