Community First February 2023 Newsletter

  • February 6, 2023
Register for a 2023 AHP Webinar Learning Opportunity

It’s time to start planning for the 2023 Affordable Housing Program (AHP)! The 2023 AHP Implementation Plan is available on our website.

Our popular AHP workshops will be held as live webinars this year. We will be offering three identical webinars covering project eligibility, financial feasibility, and scoring. Potential AHP project sponsors, FHLBank Chicago member institutions, real estate developers, and consultants are encouraged to attend. Register here.

Additionally, those with previous AHP experience can register for our Experienced Users Webinar. This webinar will focus on significant changes for this year’s program. Register here. For those unable to attend, we will also be producing a series of recorded webinar presentations covering the same content, which will be available on our website in early March.

 

2023 Downpayment Plus® Programs are Open

The 2023 Downpayment Plus® (DPP®) and Downpayment Plus Advantage® (DPP Advantage®) programs opened January 17. Participating members may reserve up to $700,000 in the general pool on a first-come, first-served basis to help their income-eligible borrowers with down payment and closing costs of up to $10,000. There is no member limit in the DPP Advantage pool, which allows members to access downpayment assistance on behalf of income eligible homebuyers obtaining their first mortgages from nonprofit lenders. Member resources are available on our website, including the DPP Program Guide, and DPP informational videos. We encourage members to review these resources and share with colleagues involved in submitting DPP grant reservations.

 

Community Small Business Advance Available

FHLBank Chicago members can access the Community Small Business Advance with 0% financing to support small business lending in income-eligible communities throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. This product combines competitive pricing with support for local economies and community revitalization efforts. To participate, members must complete the Community Small Business Advance application and demonstrate the eligibility of the small business as outlined in the application. Email ci@fhlbc.com with questions and requests for technical assistance.

 

Community Support Program – Request for Public Comments 

To maintain access to FHLBank long-term credit and Community Investment products, FHLBank members are required to submit a Community Support Statement (CSS) to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) every two years to document their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance and record of lending to first-time homebuyers. As part of the Community Support Program review, the FHFA accepts public comments, both positive and negative, concerning individual FHLBank members. Public comments can be submitted to the FHFA via email at HMGCommunitySupportProgram@fhfa.gov.

To access the list of FHLBank Chicago members subject to Community Support Program review, please visit the Community Support Statement webpage. If you have any questions, please email CommunitySupportProgram@fhlbc.com.

 

Upcoming Events

IHC Housing Forum March 15-16 | Illinois Housing Council’s 2023 Affordable Housing Forum 
In 2023, Illinois Housing Council (IHC) will be returning to a fully in person conference with two days of educational sessions and networking. All conference activities will take place at the Navy Pier on March 15 & 16, 2023.

February 9, 2023 | Dane County - Home Buyers Round Table







Contact Us

Please direct all media inquiries to:

Casey Reidy 
Director, Communications 
creidy@fhlbc.com
312.565.5291

Heather Bockstruck
Assistant Director, Communications
hbockstruck@fhlbc.com
312.565.5282