Promising activity by the governor’s Housing Task Force was overshadowed by the administration’s decision to cut over 10 percent of the limited resources of the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
On March 30, 2004, members of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s
Housing Task Force convened in Springfield to review draft reports from each of
its six working groups
(regional/community solutions, family, preservation, special needs,
rural/small cities, innovations) that have been meeting over the last three
months. Updated meeting schedules for each, as well as copies of these drafts —
due as final reports in May — are available on the Illinois Housing Development
Authority (IHDA) Web site. IHDA
staff provide the structure for and support to this multi-pronged,
intergovernmental effort, which engages more than 100 volunteer professionals.
The reports themselves and the overall Task Force activity were both
encouraging, building on the recommendations of the Housing Committee advising
the governor's Transition Team and fostering meaningful exchange among
intergovernmental, private sector, and nonprofit housing advocates. Still, many
members — public and private sector alike — left the Springfield meeting only to
learn discouraging news. The Blagojevich administration had cut the budget of
the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund by $3.8 million, or over 10 percent
of last year’s budget, as part of its overall effort to cover General Operating
Funds.
Disappointed by this news, and understanding that it was motivated by fiscal
prudence, MPC sent Gov. Blagojevich a letter emphasizing that this action undercuts the very
priorities championed by his administration and appealing to him not only to
reverse this decision, but also to prevent such cuts in the
future.
The governor has demonstrated his commitment to linking
housing, sensible growth, and economic development. In her letter, MPC President
MarySue Barrett said that "Illinois is not attractive to business unless it can
accommodate the needs of the local workforce. No issue is more central to family
stability than the quality, location, and affordability of a home.”
Click
here to contact the governor's office to voice concern on the Trust Fund
cut.