DLGA rural projects $27 MILLION in federal and state aid is available to help low income persons in north central and southeastern Illinois solve housing and community problems. Illinois was one of four states selected to participate in the Rural Areawide Housing and Community Development Demonstration Project, a two-year program developed by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Illinois has a larger sum available than the other participating states.) A major goal of the project is to coordinate federal, state and local housing and community development programs. Involved in the project are: the Department of Local Government Affairs, the Farmers Home Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, the Governor's Office of Manpower and Human Development, Illinois Economic Opportunity Office, and citizens and agency advisors from the two areas where the project will take place. Targeted for assistance are Bureau, Putman, Marshall and Stark counties in north central Illinois, including the communities of DePue, Mark, Maiden, Tiskilwa, Bureau Junction, Arlington, Buda, Ladd, Wyanet, Manlius, Spring Valley and Princeton. The southeastern area includes Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, Lawrence, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash and White counties and the communities of Bellmont, Bridgeport, Carmi, Clay City, Enfield, Fairfield, Flora, Lawrenceville, Louisville, Mount Carmel, Nobel, Olney, Sailor Springs, Ste. Marie, Wayne City and Xenia. The programs involve new housing construction, neighborhood preservation, community development assistance and outreach and educational services. Three hundred multifamily rental units to be constructed on sites scattered throughout the two areas will provide housing for the elderly, the handicapped and low-income families. Loans and grants will be available to 490 lower-income homeowners to help them preserve their neighborhoods. Needed community facilities will be constructed through community development assistance within the target areas. Other activities include construction of 250 single-family units, counseling for lower-income families on how to best use existing services and resources, education in individual home management and housing management, and technical assistance in drawing up community programs and applying for state and federal . Jerry Mennenga 32/ April 1978/ Illinois Issues
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