• The Community Development Division of the St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department is responsible for administering several grant programs including those related to capital improvements, new home construction, homebuyer assistance and housing rehabilitation.
• Community Development Division Programs and Services:
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  The Capital Improvements program provides funding for public facility-type projects such as water and sewer facilities, fire equipment and trucks and street, sidewalk or storm drainage improvements. In addition, the program offers funding for community centers and waste treatment facilities to communities in St. Clair County. Last year, the Capital Improvements program contributed $1.7 million on improvements to eligible communities. For more information contact Christina Anderson at 825-3218 or Diana Little at 825-3215.
  
  New Home Construction provides funding for the construction of new homes for eligible families in targeted neighborhoods in St. Clair County. During the last ten years, the New Home Construction program has built more than 100 homes for eligible residents of St. Clair County. For more information contact Christina Anderson at 825-3218.
  
  Housing Rehabilitation loans are provided to eligible low to moderate income persons to rehabilitate a single-family owner occupied property in participating St. Clair County communities. Up to $24,000 at 2.5 percent interest is available for a period of 10 years. For more information contact Robert Morton at 825-3228.
  
  St. Clair County Housing Rehabilitation Grant Program makes grants available to eligible low-income persons to rehabilitate single-family owner-occupied properties in participating St. Clair County communities. Funds must be used for corrections/repairs to interior/exterior systems that threaten the health or safety of the occupants. This includes electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, roofing, painting, windows, and doors. Grant amounts may be up to $16,000. Please call 825-3224 or 825-3228 for more information. Last year, more than 50 households received grants from this program. This program is now closed and is not accepting names for the waiting list.
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  The Weatherization Program provides low-income families with a grant for labor, materials, and installation needed to weatherize their home, furnace repairs or replacement. Last year, more than 175 households were helped by funding made available from this program. For more information call Jerry Kolda at 825-3251 or Lisa at 825-3276. The Weatherization Program is currently accepting names for the waiting list.

  Homebuyer Assistance Program provides funds for a down payment and closing costs to eligible clients to purchase homes in eligible areas of St. Clair County. Last year, this program helped more than 70 eligible residents purchase homes. That figure is expected to double this year. Homebuyer counseling is required. For more information and required Housing Counseling, call Clearpoint Financial Solutions (tollfree) at 1-877-877-1995.
  
  Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) The County received HUD approval for a substantial amendment to the Program Year 2005 St. Clair County Consolidated Plan for the purpose of fulfilling the application requirements to receive $2,262,025 of NSP funds. Funds will be used for the purpose of acquiring and redeveloping foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within St. Clair County communities. Copies of the amendment are available upon request. Please call 825-3218. The County submitted another Neighborhood Stabilization Program substantial amendment to the 2005-2009 St. Clair County Consolidated Plan in February of 2010. The amendment now limits the activities the County will conduct with the NSP funds to "NSP Homebuyer Program". To view the amendment, please click here. To view the NSP Quarterly Report for July 1st, 2011 through September 30th, 2011, please click here.
  
  

Lead Hazard Reduction Program - The County received $1,587,581 of HUD Lead Hazard Control funding to assess and remediate lead based paint hazard in treat 120 homes. The County will partner with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to engage in community education, marketing, outreach and recruitment for this project. The County is accepting applications for this program. Contact: Joan Scharf, 618-825-3211 or email jscharf@co.st-clair.il.us .

For more information about the dangers of lead-based paint call these telephone numbers:

National Center for Healthy Housing 1-877-312-3046
National Lead Information Center 1-800-424-5323
Or go to the HUD Office of Healthy Homes Lead Hazard Control website: www.hud.gov/offices/lead/

Please click here to view the CAPER document.
Program Year 2010 CAPER is available for Public Review and Comment
St. Clair County intends to submit its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Grant entitlement programs Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the Program Year 2010 to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by December 28th, 2011. The County is seeking public review and comment on our performance for the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. Please click here to view the CAPER document. Please submit comments by phone, e-mail, or in writing prior to 10:00 a.m. December 22, 2011 to:

Ms. Chris Anderson
St. Clair County IGD
#19 Public Square, Suite 200
Belleville, IL 62220
618-825-3218

canderson@co.st-clair.il.us

The St. Clair County Consolidated Plan for Program Years 2010-2014 was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is available for review.

Free-Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Counseling- Call the United Way 24-hour helpline 800-427-4626.