2000 Mayor Richard M. Daley said today that a pilot program of grants for home improvements has been so successful in the Bronzeville and Woodlawn communities that it will be expanded to the Lawrence-Kedzie area. Through this program, we can provide much-needed help to homeowners of low and moderate incomes and contribute to the revitalization of entire neighborhoods. Daley said that approximately 75 single-family homeowners and 80 multifamily homeowners in each of the two neighborhoods took advantage of the program, which began last summer. He said he hopes the program will spread to even more neighborhoods. Many residents on the 3800 block of South Calumet were encouraged to apply for the grants by Terry Perdue, a block resident for more than 15 years.
People stop by and ask questions about the changes and comment on how nice the neighborhood looks.
This program gave seniors the means to make improvements that they would not have been able to make themselves. We would like to see this program rolled out to other communities in Chicago, to strengthen our City's overall revitalization efforts. These residents needed the means to rehabilitate their homes. We are encouraged to see this successful program expanded to a new part of the city. Recipients must make no more than 120 percent of Chicago area median income.