A proposal for monetary aid for low income and homeless people in DeKalb is on its way to the U.S. Housing and Urban Development office, where it could be approved within the next 30 days.

The Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) was signed by DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow, after a 30-day public review period of the document ended Nov. 12, said DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas.

“No substantive changes in the CHAS are required to address (the) public concerns, which are generally supportive of the CHAS draft prepared by the (city) staff and reviewed by the council,” Nicklas stated.

The CHAS is a document that needs to be provided by cities seeking aid from federal HUD programs, according to the proposed CHAS document put together by Sue Guio, DeKalb community development assistant. “(CHAS) is a planning document designed to identify and address affordable housing needs in the community,” Guio stated.

With the help of the city staff, the city council, the DeKalb Planning and Development Department, the CHAS Citizen Advisory Committee and public input, the proposal was assembled and eight housing goals were established, Guio stated.

Some of the goals are to provide an adequate variety of housing to accommodate existing and projected residential needs, encourage maintenance and rehabilitation efforts, provide assistance for low and moderate income families for housing, meet special needs of people such as the disabled and the elderly and provide adequate emergency shelter for the homeless and work toward solutions for their long-term housing needs, according to CHAS.

One letter of support for the plan came from J. David Conlin, vice-president of real estate lending at the First National Bank in DeKalb/Sycamore. “There are still many needs that can be effectively met with community development block grant funds administered through the CHAS,” Conlin wrote.

“The number one obstacle for a young person or a low to moderate income family to purchase a home is sufficient funds available for down payment and closing costs,” Conlin stated.

Another letter of support came from James Stahl, executive director of the Family Service Agency of DeKalb County, Inc. “I salute you on including, as a high priority, support programs and services which will target the elderly and frail elderly and help them live independently and with dignity,” Stahl wrote. “(Many older adults) must have assistance with the activities of daily living or they will be forced into a nursing home.”

The next step in the process to receive federal funds from HUD could begin early next year, Guio said. “The community development coordinator for DeKalb (from HUD) has stated that the CHAS should be reviewed within 30 days,” she said. “If this is the case, the next step, preparation of the proposed statement for use of (the) funds, could begin in early January 1994.”