Funding approved for final nine homes in Aurora’s first ‘smart neighborhood’
Nearly a year after unveiling the first home to be built at Habitat Green Freedom, a “smart neighborhood” in Aurora being developed through a partnership between Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity, the city has approved construction of nine new homes there by 2028.
The community, which is being built near the intersection of Jericho Road and Edgelawn Drive, is set to have 17 homes designed with energy efficiency, affordability and resiliency in mind by 2028.
The final nine remaining homes are slated to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley using just over $1.2 million in federal funding, which was authorized to the nonprofit by the Aurora City Council on Sept. 22. The homes must be completed by or before Feb. 28, 2028, according to the development agreement.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, a local nonprofit that builds and repairs affordable housing across Cook, Kane and McHenry counties in Illinois, will not be required to repay the loan if the nonprofit keeps the housing affordable during a 20-year period and complies with other federal regulations, officials said.
The nine news homes to be built are set to be high-efficiency, net-zero energy single-family homes that will be sold to households earning at or below 80% of the area median income. Six of the units are set to be three-bedroom, and three are set to be four-bedroom homes.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley plans to select “partner families” for the units based on four categories: demonstrated housing need, income eligibility, the ability to repay an affordable mortgage and a willingness to partner through “sweat equity” volunteer hours, where the homeowners contribute to the project, according to the resolution approved by the city council.
Habitat also plans to review employment history, credit history and overall payment capability for those looking for a home in the development. Eligibility for the housing is not limited to Aurora residents, as required under federal law, according to the resolution.
The homes incorporate energy-efficient systems such as solar panels with battery storage, EV chargers, high-performance insulation and more, city officials said. Homeowners receive HUD-certified homebuyer education and maintenance workshops before purchasing their home at fair market value via zero-interest financing, officials said.
Federal funding for the homes was provided through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, a federal block grant under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designed to create affordable housing.
The Aurora City Council approved the initial funding for construction of the nine homes last February. But the development agreement, which is required for the nonprofit to use the funding, was not finalized and approved until Sept. 22.
awright@chicagotribune.com