Category: Neighborhood Services Department News

City of Champaign Partners with Down Payment Assistance Programs

The IllinoisAssist program offers homebuyers a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage and a three to seven percent cash grant based on the size of the loan for down payment and closing costs. The Illinois Housing Development Agency (IHDA) offers three mortgage products up to $10,000 under the IHDAccess programs. Each product offers down payment, closing cost assistance […]


North Prospect Cleanup

Keep Champaign Beautiful coordinated a cleanup along Interstate Drive on April 9, 2022, in conjunction with the Boneyard Creek Community Day cleanup event. Approximately 20 volunteers participated in the cleanup including volunteers from the Meijer store and the Ashland Park neighborhood. Public Works also assisted the effort. Approximately 50 bags of litter were collected. The […]


City Partners with Farnsworth Group in Boneyard Creek Cleanup

On April 3, 2022, Keep Champaign Beautiful, the Neighborhood Services Department, Farnsworth Group staff, and community volunteers worked together to cleanup a portion of the Boneyard Creek at Bristol Place. Fifteen volunteers worked three hours and collected 50 bags of debris. Keep Champaign Beautiful is also hosting a cleanup event for the North Prospect business […]


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 […]