Renewed Inc. meets the housing needs of the most vulnerable Illinoisan.

Extremely Low Income Households

The extremely low income population in need of housing is defined by individuals and households with incomes of 35% or less of Area Median Income. ELI renter households are housing-cost-burdened, paying more than 35% --and most severely cost-burdened, paying more than 50%-- of their small income for housing.

Therefore housing for the state's poorest households is a critical need and a major organizational concern.

Fair Share Housing

Renewed Inc. represents a long-term commitment to address the housing needs of extremely (<35% AMI) low-income, cost-burdened households by increasing the number of affordable housing units available in every Illinois community. Our goal extends beyond the supply of affordable housing to include a more equitable geographic distribution of those units, especially with greater consideration for neighborhood inclusion and enhanced opportunity for low-income households.

New Housing Strategies

We urge the implementation of new strategies that are working in other areas including community-based housing options for people facing foreclosure , disabilities, with more productive inclusionary housing counseling programs, more use of permanently affordable housing, and promotion of mixed-income communities. We advocate planning and implementation of affordable housing programs at all levels which will extend and strengthen the work of promoting equity and inclusion through the production and location of affordable housing in Illinois.

This can be accomplished through:

careful, strategic use of precious state and federal funds

land use policies that facilitate putting affordable ELI housing into new communities

financing policies that result in a greater supply and more equitable distribution of ELI units

local ordinances that increase the prevalence of mixed-income communities

Strengthening relationships with financial institutions to create retention plans for those facing foreclosure

The Housing Counseling Initiative

Renewed Inc. has created the housing counseling agency to strengthen the communities by providing free assistance to those who need help in the area of housing counseling. Renewed Inc. seeks to help the communities in which we serve consumed with financial crisis.

*WE HAVE MET THE NATIONAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS GUIDELINES FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING *

Renewed Inc. promotes greater awareness of affordable housing needs through nonprofit collaboration.

We support the Nonprofit Housing Agenda, a collaborative effort among nonprofit organizations that increases the impact of the sector through concerted education and greater collective policy influence.

Groups come together to better cooperate, share ideas, and propose policy that can influence affordable housing in the state of Illinois and the State of Florida .

The result of the work of the Nonprofit Housing Agenda has been to strengthen the Illinois Housing markets while providing a service that is highly valued by the members and that has had an important, statewide impact on affordable housing resources and policies.

Renewed Inc. works with member organizations that have assisted in raising the profile of affordable housing among lawmakers and increase the resources allocated to affordable housing in Illinois.

Member Organizations we work with

• National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)

• Neighborworks America

• Department of Veteran Affairs

• Cook County Land Bank

• City of Chicago Blighted Homes Initiatives participant

Supporting Organizations- Referral Sources

• Department of Veteran Affairs Housing Program

WE HAVE ADOPTED THE NATIONAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS

We need more affordable housing in Illinois, and it needs to be more equitably distributed.

The Good Neighbor Project of Renewed Inc. was developed to meet the need for affordable, accessible, inclusive communities everywhere in Illinois and Florida by creating a more equitable geographic distribution of affordable housing through our construction rehabilitation program.

The Fair Share Housing Measure describes the additional affordable housing units that a community should make available in order for that community to bear an equitable geographic share of the total need.

To become a Good Neighbor Endorser, send a confirmation email to us at renewedinc@att.net in the subject : GOOD NEIGHBOR

Affordable Housing -

has an extremely high positive economic impact

is of proven social benefit to the communities where it is situated

Illinois / Florida Affordable Housing Needs -

cannot be met solely by focusing on the gap between incomes and housing cost or on the funding required to make housing affordable for poor Illinoisians.

can only be met by addressing social, regulatory, and civic barriers to a more equitable geographic distribution of affordable housing and greater life opportunities.

Blighted homes renovations in all communities

A Fair Share of Affordable Housing means -

a better geographic distribution of affordable housing

greater choices and opportunities for all households, including homes accessible to people with disabilities

more inclusive communities

an overall benefit to the state and communities with blighted properties

Affordable Housing should be made available in -

low to moderate and mixed-income neighborhoods

a variety of different housing types

healthful environments

proximity to open space, employment opportunities, public transportation, and well-performing public school districts

communities where unemployment, poverty, and crime are low

racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods

neighborhoods with a diversity of work and professional backgrounds among heads of households.

For all these reasons -

We endorse the Good Neighbor Project of Renewed Inc.

We recommend use of its Fair Share Housing Measure in community planning discussions.We ask the question, “Why Not In My Back Yard?

”By becoming an endorser, you help us work for a more equitable distribution of affordable housing throughout the state.

(Personal information will be kept confidential if requested.)

1. Judith A. Smith - Chief Executive Director

2. Willie Mayes Sr. - Co Chair

3. Ann Johnson Middleton - Director

4. Kevin A. Smith - Director

5. Sharron Mayes - Director

6. Lois White- Director