PEORIA, Ill. – The success of a program aimed at affordable housing on Peoria’s South Side could lead to the potential for federal funding.
Leaders with Neighborhood House and the Peoria Opportunities Foundation joined 17th District Congressman Eric Sorensen on Tuesday to give him a tour of their facilities, as well as a home being renovated in South Peoria.
In between the tours, Sorensen and others spoke to local media, with the main focus on affordable housing.
POF Executive Director Irina Riggenbach touted successes so far with rental housing, namely Churchview Garden Homes. She says all apartments were leased out within 60 days, and there’s a waiting list.
While Riggenbach says quality and affordable rentals are needed, homeownership is a key to strengthening and revitalizing South Peoria, with Rebuild Peoria aiming to do just that.
Riggenbach says they’re leading a campaign to build the homebuyer pipeline, and Rebuild Peoria does have funding for renovating five homes in South Peoria. But she adds that it’s only a start.
“Five homes is just a drop in the bucket. Our goal is 500 homes. So 500 families can build wealth. 500 families can strengthen the South Side,” Riggenbach said.
Sorensen believes federal funding can come to support Rebuild Peoria. The Democrat says that can be done by talking about the
“Peoria may be dealing with the same sort of issues as Evansville, IN or Fort Wayne, or Rockford, or Cedar Rapids,” Sorensen said. “Finding ways to say ‘Alright, if it works here, if this becomes a model, how can we support it in other places?’”
Sorensen also advocated for other methods to help lower housing costs across the country. He is in favor of expanding the low income housing tax credit, and also blasted President Trump for not signing the 21st Century Road to Housing Act.
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