JUNE MEETING RECAP: LIHTCs and the Margarita

Here's a quick recap of the June 6 meeting of Joining Forces members.

LIHTC Results
Governor Pritzker recently announced $34 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) awards. Tax credits, used to finance affordable housing development,  will be awarded to 25 developers across the state. 

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​The Housing Opportunity Development Corporation is the only award recipient in Evanston and will develop a new, mixed-use building with 44 affordable apartments alongside Mt. Pisgah Church. The new building will be five stories with about 52 parking spaces underneath. The development will target low income residents with units set aside for persons with disabilities and with incomes at or below 30%, 50% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Cook County.

Other developers looking at creating affordable housing in Evanston will be applying for the next round of LIHTC. 

Margarita Inn Update
As most Joining Forces members know, Connections is in discussions with the owners of the Margarita Inn to purchase the building. The Land Use Commission voted in agreement with the Zoning Director's decision that Connections' operations at the Margarita Inn meet the City's definition for a rooming house. They also confirmed that the building's previous special use permit is void due to a lack of permit operation compliance. Now, Connections will continue to work with the owners of the Margarita on the next steps of a purchasing agreement.

Additionally, Connections is working on a new special use permit, as well as on a Good Neighbor Agreement. We look forward to working with Evanston residents, community stakeholders, and our unhoused clientele in developing a strategy that will make the program at the Margarita Inn the gold standard in ending homelessness across the country.

Thank you to everyone who spoke and continues to speak in support of the work that Connections does. Your advocacy makes a difference! We will continue to update you on the status of the Margarita Inn as more information becomes available.