title
A RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN
AGENCY FOR PLANNING (CMAP) AND OUR PARTNER
COLLAR COUNTIES TO PARTICIPATE IN A COMPETITIVE
GRANT APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) FOR THEIR “PRO HOUSING”
NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO) SEEKING A
PORTION OF THE $85 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR THE
IDENTIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF BARRIERS TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION
resolution
WHEREAS, the County of DuPage (“County”) in it its desire to promote and enhance the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of DuPage County, created the Ad Hoc Housing Solutions Committee (“Committee”) to study the challenges with creating programs to develop and sustain affordable and workforce housing in the County; and
WHEREAS, the Committee received and considered numerous presentations, studies, reports, and articles including information as to the effects and impacts of the high cost of housing, land development and challenges thereto on the citizens, workforce, labor market and employers in DuPage County; and
WHEREAS, the Committee heard presentations that reinforced the notion that the County and indeed the Northeastern Illinois region faces growing challenges developing a diverse housing stock and maintaining affordability thereto. The disconnect between the housing that people want and what is available undermines the regional economy. The Committee learned that not just the County of DuPage, but our region struggles to build enough good, affordable, and accessible housing with access to employment and services. To overcome these challenges communities in the region, need to plan for future housing needs but planning alone is not enough. Through zoning, entitlement processes, building codes and inspections, local government choices shape the types of housing that can be built and preserved; and
WHEREAS, the County finds that the Committee determined that to develop meaningful and sustainable programs for affordable and workforce housing it is necessary and desirable to enter into collaborative agreements with our regional partners to develop housing programs and seek resources that will provide meaningful and sustainable affordable housing solutions and opportunities to families in DuPage County who seek to live and raise families in proximity to where they work, attend school and have family ties in DuPage County; and
WHEREAS, the County finds that the Committee has identified a valuable collaborative partner to assist in the development of programs and resources in the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and our collar county partners. Specifically, CMAP’s grant application on a joint funding opportunity from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under the authority of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, approved December 29, 2022) (Appropriations Act), which has appropriated $85 million for competitive grant funding for the identification and removal of barriers to affordable housing production and preservation; and
WHEREAS, the County finds that the Committee has identified the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program (PRO Housing) grant application, if awarded, will enable DuPage County to work with CMAP and our collar county partners to align our planned work with the Grounded Solutions Network’s, “FOREVERYONEHOME” program with the regional approach and support local and regional involvement in the implementation of our housing readiness goals and its mission to cultivate communities - equitable, inclusive, and rich in opportunity - by advancing affordable housing solutions that last for generations; and
WHEREAS, the Memorandum of Understanding, (“MOU”) attached hereto as Exhibit A establishes the roles and responsibilities of DuPage County, CMAP and our collar county partners regarding each agency’s participation in the Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the County Board hereby agrees to and accepts the terms of the attached MOU between with CMAP and the County of DuPage, as set forth in Exhibit A; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Clerk send copies of the foregoing to: (1) the DuPage County Department of Building and Zoning, (2) the DuPage Community Service Department, (3) the DuPage County State’s Attorney, (4) the DuPage County Clerk.
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Enacted and approved this 10th day of October 2023, at Wheaton, Illinois.
________________________________
DEBORAH A. CONROY, CHAIR
DU PAGE COUNTY BOARD
Attest: ___________________________________
JEAN KACZMAREK, COUNTY CLERK