HUD Consolidated Plan

Each year, the City of Evanston receives approximately $2 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as an entitlement community of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Purpose

Evanston uses its CDBG funds to further its community development objectives, focusing on low- and moderate-income individuals, families, and neighborhoods to:

• Provide decent housing
• Provide a suitable living environment
• Expand economic opportunities

The Housing & Community Development Committee oversees the CDBG program and provides recommendations to the City Council on the use and appropriation of CDBG funds. Citizen involvement in the planning and use of CDBG funds is encouraged, and all meetings relating to the City’s CDBG program are open to the public. For meeting times and room numbers, please refer to the City calendar of events.

Draft 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER)

The City of Evanston seeks public comment from Monday, March 2, 2026, through Wednesday, March 18, 2026, on the 2025 Draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER). The draft 2025 CAPER  reports the City of Evanston progress towards the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Action Plan as well as how the City expended federal funds suchs as  Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), program income, and unspent CDBG funds from prior years to improve the quality of life of low and moderate-income Evanston residents.

Comments may be submitted via the CAPER Public Comment form (in writing or during the 3/18/26 meeting), via email to housing@cityofevanston.org, in writing to Jessica Wingader at 909 Davis St., 3rd Floor, Evanston, IL 60201, or during the CAPER Public Comment Hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 6:00 pm at the Lorraine Morton City Hall located at 909 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201. 

The 15-day public comment period for the CAPER was initially scheduled to close on March 17, 2026 at the Housing & Community Development Committee which was canceled to accommodate election day. The public comment period has been extended and will instead close following any input received during the CAPER Public Comment Hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

1805 Church - Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds Combined Notice

After performing an Environmental Review of the Mt. Pisgah construction site at 1805-1815 Church Street in Evanston, Illinois, the City has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required.

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Evanston, Housing and Grants Division, 909 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201, or to aelizarraga@cityofevanston.org. All comments received by 5 pm Central Time on March 23, 2026, will be considered by the City of Evanston before authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

607 Lake Street: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds Combined Notice

The City of Evanston performed the environmental review and determined that the project will not significantly impact the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR).

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Evanston, Housing and Grants Division, 909 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201, or to jwingader@cityofevanston.org.  All comments received by Friday, August 15, 2025, will be considered by the City of Evanston prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

1566 Oak Avenue: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds Combined Notice

The City of Evanston performed the environmental review and determined that the project will not significantly impact the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR).

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Evanston, Housing and Grants Division, 909 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201, or to aelizarraga@cityofevanston.org.  All comments received by 5 pm Central Time on April 7, 2025, will be considered by the City of Evanston prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

Citizen Participation Plan

The City of Evanston's  Citizen Participation Plan was approved by the City Council on Monday, July 14, 2025. The City of Evanston’s Public Participation Plan (CPP) outlines the policies and procedures the City has developed to encourage Evanston residents and stakeholders to participate in the development of the City’s Consolidated Plans, annual Action Plans, and CAPERs, as well as any substantial amendments to the Consolidated Plan or Action Plans. 

This amendment includes updated language to clarify the process of a substantial amendment approval. It also reflects updated rules related to the declaration of state of emergency and remote public participation during a state of emergency, removes mentions of CARES Act specific regulations and requirements, clarifies the funding by goal thresholds for planning and administration as it relates to the trigger of a substantial amendment, and reflect updated information related to the committee approval process, notification and availability of information, all of which were included in the original December 2024 draft version.

2025-2029 Consolidated Plan

Evanston City Council approved the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Action Plan on Monday, July 14, 2025.

The plans identify and prioritize housing, community, and economic development needs and strategies, focusing primarily on the needs of low- and moderate-income residents. The plans will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the funding process for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs. The goals of the plans are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income residents. The 2025 Action Plan outlines how the City will use grant funds from HUD in 2025. Both plans have been updated to include the final 2025 grant awards from HUD, including ESG funds, which were not included in the original draft, and trigger a substantial amendment.