Regional Housing Resources Project

HomeStart is proud to announce that we have received a $15,000 for our Regional Housing Resources Project grant from the Community Grants Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois with support from the Dr Louis and Violet Rubin Fund.

HomeStart will use the funds in Stephenson, Ogle and Boone counties to help organize discussions around available housing resources in each county, and will produce a print brochure and guided search website for each county. We have already accomplished this in Winnebago, hosting a monthly meeting with partners to share resources and advocate for next plans. In Winnebago, we have produced a 4 page brochure that is used in outreach, and have just launched the website www.ilhousingguide.org.

“When someone in our region needs to find answers to their next housing question, it can be difficult and frustrating to find the right phone number to call,” says Sarah Brinkmann, HomeStart’s Executive Director. “By giving us this chance to grow our partnership network and develop concrete marketing tools, this grant will help ease the confusion and set up easy pathways to real answers.”

About HomeStart:

HomeStart is committed to creating vibrant, healthy communities in Northern Illinois by connecting people and families to beneficial, affordable housing resources and by leading community-based solutions to local challenges. A critical component of HomeStart’s work is primarily focused on helping people achieve successful homeownership, and since 2013, our HUD certified counseling and education has helped 820 clients purchase a home and 1,000 clients to prevent foreclosure. In addition, HomeStart is a Chartered Member of the NeighborWorks network, bringing neighborhood leadership and resources to our region for over 20 years.

About the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois:

The mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is to serve as a catalyst for giving in order to attract, preserve, and grow an endowment for the current and future needs of the people of Northern Illinois. Since its founding in 1953, CFNIL has granted more than $65 million for charitable purposes in the region.