Redevelopment

Goals

It is with the Citizens of East Chicago in mind that we the staff of the Department of Redevelopment and the Redevelopment Commission seeks to develop an interactive and informative website. This site will provide you with an array of information on Department activities, property meeting and plans.

It continues to be our goal to meet the ever changing needs of our community, while enhancing the overall quality of life for all who live, do business and work here. This site will reflect our continuing efforts to communicate effectively with the residents of East Chicago. Thank you for visiting the site and we hope you find it useful and informative.

Duties

Grant Programs

The Department of Redevelopment administers the annual federal grant funds that are allocated to the City of East Chicago from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City receives an allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds annually on a formula basis created by HUD to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons in the City of East Chicago.

Community Development Block Grant

CDBG funds may be used for a variety of efforts within the City provided the beneficiaries of the efforts (Programs and Projects) are principally individuals and families with income below 80% of the area medium income as established by HUD on an annual basis. In past years CDBG funds have been used for housing rehabilitation, public service activities, infrastructure improvements, park improvements and job training programs.

Home Investment Partnerships Program

HOME funds are also to benefit those families and individuals whose income is below 80% of the area medium income as established by HUD on an annual basis.  HOME funds may be used to carry out multi-year housing strategies through acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of housing, and tenant-based rental assistance.  At least 15 percent of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds must be set aside for specific activities to be undertaken by a special type of nonprofit called a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). A CHDO is a private nonprofit, community-based organization that has staff with the capacity to develop affordable housing for the community it serves. In order to qualify for designation as a CHDO, the organization must meet certain requirements pertaining to their legal status, organizational structure, and capacity and experience.

Consolidated Plan

The City develops annually a Housing and Community Development Plan, known as the Consolidated Plan. The Consolidated Plan is developed with input and recommendations for the use of the CDBG funds from the community via public meetings. The Consolidated Plan is designed to help states and local jurisdictions to assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions. The consolidated planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities that align and focus funding from the CPD formula block grant programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program. The Consolidated Plan is carried out through Annual Action Plans, which provide a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the Consolidated Plan. Grantees report on accomplishments and progress toward Consolidated Plan goals in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).

Tax Increment Funding

The Department of Redevelopment oversees the City’s Tax Increment Funding Districts (TIF) which collect tax revenue within their districts and use the revenue for a variety of infrastructure projects:

• Park improvement in North Harbor
• Project acquisition for Redevelopment Purposes
• Street improvements in North Harbor