Housing Developers

The City of Rockford (City) provides gap financing for developments that increase the number of decent, safe, and sanitary residential housing units for homebuyers and renters. Generally, gap financing is the difference between committed resources and the total development cost of a project. City Council must approve all projects receiving $25,000 or more in City funding.

Contact Sarah Leys, City Director of the Community & Economic Development Department

Sarah.Leys@RockfordIL.gov | 779-348-7442 

City of Rockford Community & Economic Development Department 

425 E. State St. – 2nd Floor, Rockford, IL  61104

Additional Contacts:

 

  • Environmental Review: 

An Environmental Review (ER) is the process of reviewing a project and its potential environmental impacts to determine whether it meets federal, state, and local environmental standards. The environmental review process is required for all HUD-assisted projects to ensure that the proposed project does not negatively impact the surrounding environment, and that the project site itself will not have an adverse environmental or health effect on end users. For more information: https://rockfordil.gov/689/Environmental-Reviews.

Christine Manley, Grants Compliance Specialist 

Christine.Manley@RockfordIL.gov | 779-348-7488

  • Construction & Development Services:

The primary function of the Construction and Development Services Division is to provide building, mechanical, and electrical inspections for all existing and new construction, as well as administer land use planning, zoning policies, and historic preservation. 

Chad Holaday, Building Inspection Administrator

Chad.Holaday@RockfordIL.gov | 779-348-7478

  • Application Underwriting:

Prior to awarding federal funds, a Housing Rehabilitation Specialist II reviews applications and determines project feasibility, ensuring that all federal, state, and local regulations and statutes will be met.

Giselle Martinez, Housing Rehabilitation Specialist II (HRS)

Giselle.Martinez@RockfordIL.gov | 779-348-7439

Applying For Funds

The City is accepting applications for the following: 

  • 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Pre-application
    • This is an application to request City Council to approve a Conditional Preliminary Set-aside Letter that will be contingent on City staff underwriting a formal application in its entirety, per the City’s policy, including all associated federal, local, and state regulations and statutes.
  • Residential Housing Application for Community Development Block Grant and/or HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, including Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) funds for the purpose of developing residential housing units.

Please ensure your application includes the required $150 fee payable to the City of Rockford. Applications without payment will be deemed incomplete.