The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Housing News

Down payment assistance…Home ownership may be closer than some think with $10,000 in down payment assistance from the West Cook County Housing Collaborative for select updated and rehabbed homes. Financing and the supply of homes is limited. To apply, call the HUD-certified West Cook Homeownership Center at 708.771.5801. An application also is available online at www.WestCookHomeownership.org.
 
First-time homebuyer seminars…Individuals interested in learning more about buying a home and securing a mortgage are invited to attend free seminars offered every month by the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. Seminars are held at 7 p.m., the fourth Tuesday of each month in Village Hall, 123 Madison St. The next seminar is Tues., Feb. 26. For more information, call 708.771.5801.
 
Multi-family rehab loans…Owners of multi-family buildings with seven or fewer units may be eligible for forgivable loans of up to $5,000 per unit and an additional $2,500 per unit for qualified energy upgrades under the Village’s Small Rental Rehab Program. Energy funds are available only until March 31. For details, call 708.358.5410 or e-mail housing@oak-park.us.
 
Single-family rehab loans…Loans are available to income-eligible residents to correct health and safety issues and building code violations in their single-family homes. The program offers no-interest loans of up to $25,000 that do not require monthly payments. Loans are repayable after 20 years or when the property is transferred. Call 708.358.5410 or e-mail housing@oak-park.us for more information.
 
Energy, water efficiency rebates and tools…A Village program funded by the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation offers rebates to help homeowners reduce energy waste and use. The Energy and Water Efficiency Rebate Program will offer $50 to approximately 50 single-family households to conduct an energy audit and $100 to 50 households to install low-flow toilets. Another 250 households will receive free efficient shower heads and faucet aerators. For details, call 708.358.5410 or e-mail housing@oak-park.us.
 
Energy tracking tools…Oak Parkers who sign up for and link their utility bills to a free online energy-use tracking tool can help the Village earn up to $25,000 for community projects, as well as receive free energy assessments and rebates for efficiency improvements. The tracking tool — EnergyBUZZ — is part of the Nicor Gas Community Challenge, which offers access to a range of programs for residential, multi-family and business properties. While homes and businesses can receive free energy assessments and rebates for energy efficiency improvements, apartment building owners can receive free faucet aerators, showerheads, light bulbs and programmable thermostats. Officials say energy efficiency not only helps families and businesses make ends meet, improvements also benefit the community by putting more money into people’s pockets to spend at area businesses, contributing to the local economy and job growth. CNT Energy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people and communities save energy and money, administers the Community Challenge program on behalf of Nicor Gas. For more information on the program, visit www.nicorgasrebates.com/Challenge.com.