Elgin housing program big winner in federal grant handouts

As Elgin city leaders take on the yearly task of doling out federal grant dollars, some already are looking to improve the process for next year.

Three out of every five dollars allocated from the Community Development Block Grant will to go the city's Residential Rehabilitation program, under a plan being considered by the city council.

The program provides grants up to $15,000 for exterior home improvements such as roofs, windows and siding to low- to moderate-income families.

Other agencies that got a slice of the $828,395 pie were: the Elgin Housing Authority, which received $68,500; the Ecker Center, $79,739 for elevator renovation projects; $50,000 to PADS of Elgin's emergency shelter program; $75,000 for the city to administer the grants; and $25,000 for the city to help Kane County put together a five-year plan.

Councilman Juan Figueroa said he is concerned that $530,156 went to the city's program, and wants the city staff to suggest some new guidelines for 2010.

"I really wanted to make (an) impact in the community with this funding," he said. "For many years, we've been doing business as usual, but it doesn't mean that we should be doing business as usual.

"I was hoping for next year we could come back with some guidelines and see how many more agencies were going to be able to help."

Walters said this year's grant total is the lowest he's seen during his time on the council, which began in 1987.

But he doesn't necessarily agree with Figueroa.

"Nobody on this list does not need the money," Walters said. "I thought we could have more money to give out, but we don't have it. If we artificially put limits on how much everybody can get, we're going to hurt ourselves."

Four projects denied funding were: $80,000 for the YWCA to convert and old cafeteria to child care space; $25,480 for the Elgin Day Care Center's Child Development program; $39,243 for the Association for Individual Development to renovate a group home for the disabled; and $25,000 for Habitat for Humanity to rehab a house.

Councilman David Kaptain issued a warning of sorts to agencies that don't have all their paperwork completed.

"I found the Elgin Housing Authority grant to be incomplete. No cover letter, barely filled out the forms," he said. "I'll support it this year but I won't support it next year. It's insulting to the people who made applications."

Jerry Deering, the city's community development director, said residents have until April 3 to comment on the proposals. The council will have a final vote April 8 and submit the application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by April 15, he said.