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Matt Martin discussed how important homeownership is. And how racially divided the city is when it pertains to buying and affordable homes. Only 30% of Blacks own their own home. While 50% of Whites are home owners. It is cheaper to buy a home than to rent an apartment.

With Chicago Recovery Program money can be allocated to home programs like NHS to assist residents in helping them purchase their own home. Homeownership provides equity and generalization wealth for black and brown families. And also strengthens neighborhoods.

Residents have lack of funding and these funds can help them with purchase costs and down payments.

Community Investment Corporation (CIC) is Chicago’s leading source of financing for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable rental housing in Chicago neighborhoods and suburban communities.

CIC CEO Stacie Young presented before the committee their plan and mission of helping the affordable housing crisis in Chicago. They purchase building and then the owner receives incentives to rent some of those apartments for low income housing.

Guacolda Reyes Chief Real Estate Development Officer of the Resurrection Project. At the Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corporation spoke at the meeting.

CMHDC’s mission, and that of its subsidiaries, is to preserve and create naturally occurring affordable housing in the Chicago metropolitan area.

This funds are necessary for residents to live in affordable homes and to stay in their neighborhoods without moving. Also, mixed income housing is an option as well according to Reyes.

Also, the allocation of money to the arts and culture was presented by a few artists in the community.

Omar Torres is a member of an organization that is been around since 1971. They need more funds for operational costs, technology support because of COVID many of their programs have been virtual.

Torres also mentioned a neighborhood called Hermosa. That many people are unaware of. They are in need of grant money for artists of color and youth arts employment.

Lynn Basa is a full time artist who spoke on behalf of the arts and culture community in Chicago. She mentioned several art organizations that are in need to funding. And many of them are in Black and brown communities in Chicago. Puerto Rican Art Alliance, Uprising Theater.

Alliance, Bridge, and many others. They need space for painting, sculpturing, rehearsals, performances. Also funds for materials and marketing for their events. Especially since COVID it has been a challenge.

Jackie Taylor CEO of the Black Ensemble Theater said the arts are essential for life. 'The arts are an expression of what we are feeling and dealing with.""The arts have been taken out of our classroom and schools." "Children have pride in themselves through the arts."

The funds should go every where it is needed.

Erin Harley Acting Commissioner of Culture Affairs and Special Events presented a new program the city is implementing called Together We Heal. It is a neighborhood creative healing program, to combat systemic racism, violence, mental illness.

And the effects COVID has had on our youth. These programs will strengthen the communities through community history events and community engagements. 5.5 million dollars will be allocated through 48 grants for this program.

These grants are also available to assist with youth employment physical improvements to building and spaces. In addition to, hiring teachers, training and benefits. And to assist those who have enormous losses due to Covid.

The meeting adjourned at 12:10pm