Category: Neighborhood Services Department News

City Celebrates National Community Development Week – April 11-15, 2022

National Community Development Week celebrates the accomplishments of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. CDBG is a federal entitlement grant whose goal is to build stronger and more resilient communities. CDBG funds in the City of Champaign support housing rehabilitation programs, emergency rental assistance, homelessness, youth programming, re-entry services, affordable housing development, economic development […]


NSD Helps Spread the Word About METCAD 9-1-1 Career Opportunities

The Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) shared information on the Telecommunicator hiring process at METCAD 9-1-1 with 121 registered neighborhood group leaders. These leaders represent 44 registered groups consisting of thousands of Champaign households. Sharing information through our registered neighborhood groups is an easy way to get information to many residents quickly. City departments and community […]


Accessory Structure Demolition Program

The City of Champaign Accessory Structure Demolition Program assists eligible homeowners to demolish dilapidated accessory structures, like garages, sheds, decks and fences that are detached from the home. Funding for this program is provided by federal dollars the City of Champaign receives through the Community Development Block Grant program. Assistance is provided in the form […]


Equity and Engagement Department Guest Presenter at the Neighborhood Leader Meeting

On April 6, 2022, Tracy Parsons from the Equity and Engagement Department presented an overview of the City’s Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint at the Neighborhood Leaders Monthly Meeting. Tracy highlighted key activities of the Community Coalition and the Community Violence Response Team in response to violent incidents, as well outlining root causes of gun […]


Mayor Feinen Speaks at Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication

On March 31, 2022, Neighborhood Services staff attended the dedication of the newest Habitat for Humanity house in Champaign where the Moore family, Tekeyra, Kenny, and their three sons, were delighted to receive the keys to their new home. Mayor Feinen, who was invited by Habitat for Humanity to give remarks, spoke to the long-standing […]


Neighborhood Services Hosts Contractor Informational Meeting

The Neighborhood Services Department is inviting all contractors to a Contractor Informational Meeting on Tuesday, April 19th, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. at the Champaign Public Library. Attendees will learn about contracting opportunities in the City’s current housing rehab programs, including the new Modified Garden Hills Safety Lighting Energy Efficiency Program (SLEEP). The meeting will conclude […]


City Seeks Public Input on FY 2022-23 Annual Action Plan

On March 15, 2022, the City published the Draft FY 2022-23 Annual Action Plan and opened the public comment period. The Annual Action Plan identifies goals and strategies for the City to undertake and achieve desired community development outcomes. These goals are accomplished by using federal allocations of Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment […]


City Sells Vacant Lots to Habitat for Humanity

On January 19, 2022, the City published requests for bids for the sale of six City owned properties that no longer serve a purpose for the City. These properties were obtained by the City through Code Compliance activities. The requests for bids were advertised in the News Gazette, CGTV and the City’s social media accounts. […]


Garden Hills Winter Informational Meeting

On February 17, 2022, the City hosted a virtual meeting to share information on programs and improvement projects in the Garden Hills neighborhood. Staff from the Police, Planning and Development, Neighborhood Services, and Public Works departments presented on the approved license plate readers, the Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan, the new Neighborhood Ambassadors Program, the Modified […]


Relocator Agreement for City owned Residential Lots

A neighborhood resident raised concerns about activity at two properties in the Hedge Road area. During the conversation about this activity, the resident stated that the City owned residential lots at 1319 Hedge and 1432 Holly Hill were being used for overflow parking on nights and weekends. Staff from the Neighborhood Services Department, the Public […]