Geneva seeks grant for housing panel

Geneva is asking Kane County for a $5,000 grant to hire a consultant to help it study the topic of affordable housing.

The city council is expected to formalize the request Monday night for community development funds. The city would have to put up $5,000 of its own as a match.

“Inasmuch as the mayor has appointed a task force to look at the issue, I believe it makes good use to latch on to some county funds and bring someone in to help that group as they wrestle, debate and discuss housing in Geneva and how we can enhance affordable housing in Geneva,” said Dick Untch, the city's community development director.

The housing task force is supposed to study Geneva's demographics and its housing stock, determine the need for affordable housing, and help city workers come up with a strategy to fulfill that need. Untch would like to hire outside help for data analysis.

Alderman Ron Singer asked Untch the difference between a task force and a commission. The city has several advisory commissions. Untch said a standing commission has bylaws and formal goals. A task force would come first, to make recommendations to the city council, one of which could be forming a housing commission.

Alderman Ralph Dantino asked if the money was in the 2010-11 city budget. City Administrator Mary McKittrick said it isn't, but that money from reserves could cover the cost. She also said she doesn't expect the county to make a decision in time for the consultant to be hired before the city's budget expires at the end of April, so it could be included in the 2011-12 budget.

Singer was pleased the task force is moving ahead. “This is something I've been working for for 14 years,” he said.

Illinois law requires that all towns with less than 10 percent affordable housing to develop and implement plans to correct the deficiency. Geneva met that standard when the law took effect in 2004. The law defines affordable housing as something a household making 80 percent or less of the area median income can afford to buy or something a household making 60 percent or less of the AMI can afford to rent, for families of four people. “Affordable” is defined as spending no more than 30 percent of gross income for rent or mortgage, insurance, taxes, association fees and utilities.