Lake County announced it is accepting grant applications for its Healthy Houses program, which will fund HVAC upgrades for eligible rental units.
The program aims to improve living conditions in rental properties by providing financial assistance to landlords for repairing or replacing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The initiative targets single-family or small multi-family properties with six units or fewer, where tenants earn at or below 80% of the area median income. Priority will be given to units without working HVAC systems and those housing elderly or disabled residents. Funding is provided as a five-year forgivable loan, requiring landlords to maintain income-eligible tenants during that period. Applications are due April 2 or until funds are fully allocated, according to <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILLAKE/bulletins/40b65ae”>Lake County.
The Healthy Houses program is supported by a $2 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The funding is projected to cover HVAC installation or replacement in roughly 50 multi-family rental units, according to <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILLAKE/bulletins/40b65ae”>Lake County.
Lake County’s Community Development Division manages federal funding for housing and community projects by creating a five-year Consolidated Plan outlining local needs, goals, and strategies. This plan serves as the county’s application for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The division also produces an Annual Action Plan and a CAPER report to track projects and accomplishments. Residents are encouraged to provide input through the Housing & Community Development Commission. Additionally, the county promotes fair housing through the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice study, last updated in 2020, according to <a href="https://www.lakecountyil.gov/1894/Community-Development”>Lake County.
The Lake County Board consists of 19 elected members representing different districts and is responsible for approving the county budget, financial matters, and ordinances affecting government departments. Meetings are held in person at the County Administrative Tower in Waukegan or remotely via Zoom; schedules and agendas are available online. Regular sessions occur monthly along with additional committee meetings—all viewable live on LCTV—according to <a href="https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2266/County-Board”>Lake County.
