Hear experts discuss housing crisis at McHenry County forum

McHenry County Government is sponsoring a forum for community leaders to discuss the housing crisis. The forum is scheduled for 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13 in the McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock. Attendees will be provided with information on services and opportunities are available to help families and individuals in the current housing crisis.

Speakers include: Elise Livingston, president-elect of the McHenry County Association of REALTORS; Greg Grojean, Home State Bank; Virginia Peschke, executive director of Consumer Credit Counseling Services of McHenry County; Sue Rose, McHenry County Housing Authority/McHenry County Continuum of Care; Donna Schaefer, McHenry Township; Julie Biel Claussen, executive director, McHenry County Housing Authority; Mike Iwanicki, director, Veterans' Assistance Commission; Linda Rothnagel, director of advocacy training, Prairie State Legal Services; Mary Lu Seidel, executive director, Corporation for Affordable Homes of McHenry County; Jean Niemann, McHenry County Department of Planning and Development; and Faith Taylor, McHenry County Department of Planning and Development.

There also will be a discussion of long-term solutions that can be applied to avoid a similar situation. Resource materials will be available to help people working on the front lines provide the best information to the people they serve. McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler stated, "With the recent federal money that became available and the McHenry County Housing Study, the county recognized a need to establish a forum to bring people together and connect the those in need with the agencies that can provide relief and services."

Reservations are required by contacting the McHenry County Planning and Development Office at (815) 334-4560 or plandev@co.mchenry.il.us.