Housing Rehabilitation Grants

The City of Urbana, Illinois administers several housing rehabilitation grant programs aimed at supporting income-qualified residents in maintaining safe, habitable, and accessible housing. These grants are overseen by the Urbana Grants Management Division, which operates under the Community Development Services Department. The overarching goal of these programs is to ensure that low- to moderate-income households within Urbana's corporate limits can access critical repairs, structural improvements, and accessibility enhancements that contribute to health, safety, and quality of life. The grant programs fall under a broader Housing Rehabilitation initiative and are specifically targeted at properties located within Urbana’s city limits. Eligibility is primarily income-based, with applicants required to earn no more than 80% of the area Median Family Income (MFI), as determined annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The properties must also meet a structural integrity threshold; only homes that are structurally sound and relatively free of building deficiencies that would otherwise render them substandard are eligible. Applicants must also have occupied the home for at least one year and must maintain homeowners insurance. Trust deeds and contract purchases are permitted as valid ownership structures. Multiple types of grants are offered under the program. The Accessibility Grant provides up to $10,000 in funding to modify homes in ways that remove barriers for persons with disabilities. Eligible projects include the installation of ramps, bathroom modifications, and door widening. Applicants must either be persons with disabilities or have a household member with a disability who is a permanent resident of the home. This grant applies to structures with four or fewer units. The Emergency Grant and Emergency Sewer and Roof Repair Grants are designed to address urgent health and safety risks. The Emergency Grant provides up to $10,000 for repairs such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or structural deficiencies. The Emergency Sewer Grant and Emergency Roof Repair Grant offer up to $15,000 to address hazardous conditions related to sewer infrastructure and roofing systems, respectively. All three emergency-related grants require that the property is owner-occupied, the applicant has lived in the home for a minimum of one year, and that the applicant carries homeowners insurance. Applications for these programs are accepted on a rolling basis, subject to funding availability. Interested individuals may apply online via the Neighborly Software portal linked through the City of Urbana website. Paper applications are also available upon request and can be picked up at the Community Development offices in Urbana City Hall or requested via email or phone. Given the limited federal funding that supports these initiatives, applications may be waitlisted based on the urgency of need and program demand. The program does not follow a fixed deadline cycle and remains open as long as funds are available. The City of Urbana encourages potential applicants to check the official website for the most up-to-date income limits and other eligibility details. For assistance or further information, applicants are advised to contact the Grants Management Division via email at [email protected] or by phone at (217) 328-8277 during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city’s transparent and structured approach aims to ensure equitable access to housing resources for residents most in need.