Building Neighborhoods and Affordable Homes Program

The Building Neighborhoods and Affordable Homes Program (BNAH) encourages homebuyers to move into five targeted neighborhood areas: Englewood Square, North Lawndale, South Lawndale, Humboldt Park/Garfield Park and Woodlawn.  The program provides up to $60,000 in purchase assistance to buyers of single-family homes constructed under the City Lots for Working Families program within the boundaries detailed below. 

Program Requirements

  • Homes must have been built through the City Lots for Working Families program and located within one of the target areas.
  • Household income cannot exceed 140% of the area median income (AMI).
  • Buyers must use the homes as their primary residences for a minimum 10-year occupancy period, or the home must be sold to an income-qualified homebuyer. 

 
Income Limits (2021)

Household Size

140% AMI

1

$91,420

2

$104,440

3

$117,460

4

$130,480

5

$140,980

 

Target Areas
Target Area Boundaries
Ward
Englewood
Square
 59th St, Stewart Ave., Marquette Road.,Morgan St.
 16
 North Lawndale
 Roosevelt Road, Albany, Ogden and Homan avenues
 24
 South Lawndale
 18th St., Sacramento Ave., 27th St., Kostner Ave.
 12, 22, 24
 Humboldt Park/Garfield Park
 Division St./Grand Ave., Kedzie Ave., I-290, Keeler Ave.
 27, 28, 37
 Woodlawn
 61st St., Harper Ave., 69th Place, St. Lawrence Ave.
 20

 

Program Features

The program is funded with $5 million from the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund ($1 million per target area).

 Grant funds can be used as follows:

  • To fill an appraisal gap (difference between sales price and appraised value); and           
  • If the appraisal gap is less than $60,000, any remaining amount may be used for:         
    • Closing costs
    • Down payment
    • Senior loan principal reduction
    • Appraisals, inspections, pre-paid interest/points, 1 year pre-paid insurance.     

There is a cap of $15,000 for non-neighborhood residents, $20,000 for current neighborhood residents (as defined by program regulations,) for the non-appraisal gap assistance.

The Department of Housing administers the program from the application stage through closing, and then monitors the property for 10 years to verify owner occupancy.

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