Income-eligible suburban Cook County residents who have struggled to pay their rent during the 
pandemic can apply for a lottery rental assistance program. Money for this program will come from the federal CARES Act funds. These funds will be administered by the Housing Authority of Cook County. The application period for the lottery opens on Monday, August 10 and closes on August 18. Up to $4500 will be paid to a landlord for an eligible household selected in the lottery. Funding will be available to suburban renters with household incomes under 80 percent of the area median income Residents can review their eligibility and apply for assistance here.
News from the Reference Desk Category: Home & Housing
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Each year, the Village of Mount Prospect receives an allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CDBG funds are intended to create viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanded economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents.
The Village has two CDBG documents available for a public review period from June 29 – July 6, 2020. Hard copies of the plans are available in the Community Development Department, on the 2nd floor of Village Hall, and virtually through the links below. Comments may be submitted to the Community Development Department by phone at (847) 818-5328 or by email to alalagos@mountprospect.org.
2020-2024 Consolidated Plan / 2020 Action Plan
The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive five-year planning document that identifies the overall housing and community development needs of the village, outlines available programs and resources, and establishes a strategy for prioritizing and addressing these needs. The goals of the Consolidated Plan are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities to benefit low and moderate-income residents. The 2020 Action Plan includes the projects and the funding allocations for the program year running from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.
2015-2019 Consolidated Plan / 2019 Action Plan
On April 2, 2020, the Village of Mount Prospect was notified that it will receive a special allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG-CV) to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus. This special allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed into law on March 27, 2020. These funds are available for use during Program Year (PY) 2019 and 2020 and must be expended by September 30, 2022. To obtain CDBG-CV funding for PY 2019, the Village must submit Substantial Amendments to HUD for both the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and the 2019 Action Plan.
For more information on the CDBG program, please visit the Village’s CDBG webpage.
Getting Help with the House
Owning a home is a worthwhile but often challenging experience. Issues surrounding purchasing, financing and maintaining a home are complex. Area homeowners or prospective homeowners can get guidance from the Northwest Housing Partnership. On 
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 9:30 am at the Mount Prospect Public Library the Partnership will offer a series of presentations on homeownership. Six professionals in the areas of law, finance, and real estate will share guidelines and pathways for buying and maintaining a home. Information about the various programs offered by the Partnership, such as the Handyman Program, will also be provided. Each professional will also be available to answer questions. Come and learn about resources for home buying and home maintenance guidance that are available nearby. You can register here for the program.
Getting Help to Stay in Your Home
Many individuals would like to stay in their homes as they grow older but need help to make this happen. For people living in the Northwest Suburbs that help is now available. North West Housing Partnership is administering the CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders) program. The goal of this program is to help senior citizens remain in their homes as long as possible. This is a pilot program modeled on one developed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland and is the first of its kind in the Chicago area. The program helps seniors who are cognitively intact and able to stand (with or without assistance) to overcome barriers to independent living. CAPABLE includes the services of an occupational therapist, a registered nurse and a vetted and insured handyman. Seniors in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine and Rolling Meadows are eligible to receive a limited number of at home visits and up to a day of repairs by the handyman. These services occur over a four-month time frame. The only costs are for the handyman work and materials. To apply for the CAPABLE program, seniors or their caregivers must contact North West Housing Partnership by calling (847) 969-0561 or by emailing Robyn Sandys, the executive director of North West Housing Partnership, at robynsandys@nwhp.net.
Livability Index
In June 2018 AARP released its Livability Index which is a tool of the AARP Livable Communities program. This index rates every U. S. city, town and neighborhood in seven categories. The categories include Health, Housing, Engagement, Opportunity, Environment, Neighborhoods and Transportation. The data used to compile the ratings comes from 50 sources. Mount Prospect’s rate is 53. The Livability Index is a great source for people who are moving, planning a retirement location or just for those curious about how neighboring communities compare.