Land Bank Technical Assistance Network

The Land Bank Technical Assistance Network (LBTA) Round 3 is an open funding opportunity managed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) designed to support organizations engaged in land banking initiatives. This grant aims to strengthen the technical capabilities and operations of land banks by offering targeted financial assistance. The goal is to bolster the effectiveness of land banks in stabilizing neighborhoods, revitalizing properties, and advancing equitable community development. The program is intended to assist in building long-term institutional capacity among land banks and their affiliated organizations. IHDA, the funding authority behind LBTA, serves as a central housing finance agency for Illinois and has consistently worked to increase access to quality affordable housing and strengthen communities. Through LBTA, IHDA seeks to provide financial and technical support that directly enables land banks to improve governance, operations, and community impact. This third round of the LBTA program continues the agency’s commitment to empowering local governments and non-profits to manage vacant and abandoned properties more effectively. Funding through LBTA Round 3 is to be used for reasonable administrative costs that support land banking activities. This includes expenses such as staffing, travel, and relevant overhead. Applicants are required to use a standardized budget template as part of their submission. The application process is hosted on Jotform, which allows applicants to save their progress and return at a later time if needed. It is emphasized that applications must be submitted electronically; no paper copies will be accepted. Eligibility is determined based on responses to specific criteria outlined in the application. Though not explicitly detailed in the announcement, eligible applicants likely include land banks, municipalities, or nonprofit entities actively managing vacant land and properties. Applicants are encouraged to write concise and compelling responses to increase their chance of receiving funding. IHDA will evaluate all submissions and has sole discretion in determining the final size and allocation of awards. The total maximum funding available in this round is estimated to be $500,000. IHDA has not specified the number of awards that will be granted. Funding decisions will be based on a review of the applications received, and IHDA reserves the right to determine the size and distribution of the awards as it sees fit. All applicants are subject to the rules and expectations outlined in the Application Guide and must use the provided budget template. Applications for LBTA Round 3 are due by Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM Central Time. Applications submitted after the deadline or in hard copy will not be considered. For any questions or technical issues related to the application, applicants are advised to contact LBCPinfo@ihda.org.

Responses written in succinct and persuasive language will have a higher probability of receiving funding.