Click here to download Governor Blagojevich's News Release regarding the release of the Comprehensive Plan
The complete Comprehensive Plan as well as the 2004 Progress Report can be downloaded here.
On September 16, 2003, Governor Rod Blagojevich, as part of his reform and renewal initiative, issued Executive Order 2003-18 requiring the development of Illinois’ first comprehensive housing plan to coordinate the affordable housing and related support services resources of more than a dozen state agencies to produce the maximum benefit for Illinois residents with the greatest housing needs. The Executive Order created the Housing Task Force and identified six housing priority groups: very-low income households, low-income senior citizens, low-income people with disabilities, those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, low and moderate-income households who are unable to find affordable housing near work or transportation and low-income households who currently live in affordable housing that is in danger of becoming unaffordable.
Building for Success: Illinois’ Comprehensive Housing Plan, submitted by the Housing Task Force to the Governor and the General Assembly in January 2005, was created by more than 210 housing industry and community experts and includes more than 80 recommendations to coordinate housing programs and policies, increase accountability, target housing assistance for the housing priority groups and ensure efficient use of state housing resources.
Designed to help families, communities, and the state reap the benefits of affordable housing, Building for Success is a working plan that helps state agencies best leverage their housing resources to obtain the greatest benefit for Illinois. Families and individuals can better provide for their families and more quickly overcome temporary financial setbacks such as job loss or medical expenses when they are not overburdened by high housing costs. Seniors and people with disabilities can live independently in their communities when they have access to the supportive services they need to stay in their homes. Working families in communities with affordable housing spend less time commuting which reduces traffic congestion and improves air quality. Neighborhoods with a range of quality housing options have lower crime rates, better performing schools, stronger local economies and a better quality of life. In addition to the benefits for its residents, affordable housing gives the state a competitive edge in attracting investment, which generates a larger local and state tax base while providing jobs and economic growth through the housing industry.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority oversees the work of the Housing Task Force. The Housing Task Force will report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the progress of Building for Success on April 1, 2005.