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 Tuesday, March 17, 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 Housing & Community Development public comment form (in writing or during the meeting), via email to housing@cityofevanston.org, in writing to Jessica Wingader at 909 Davis St., 3rd Floor, Evanston, IL 60201, or during the public Housing & Community Development Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 6:30 pm at the Lorraine Morton City Hall located at 909 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201. Public Comments will close at the March 17, 2026 meeting of the Housing & Community Development Committee.

Draft 2026 Action Plan

The City of Evanston’s Housing & Community Development Committee seeks public comment from Friday, November 14, 2025, through Tuesday, December 16, 2025, on the 2026 Draft Action Plan. The 2026 Draft Action Plan describes how the City’s estimated 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME), program income, and unspent CDBG funds from prior years will be used to improve the quality of life primarily for low and moderate-income Evanston residents.

The City of Evanston’s Housing & Community Development Committee will hold a hearing for public comment on the 2026 Draft Action Plan on Tuesday, November 18 and Tuesday December 16, 2025 at 6 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the 2026 Draft Action Plan’s 30-day comment period, which opens on Friday, November 14, 2025 and closes Tuesday, December 16, 2023, at the conclusion of the Housing & Community Development Committee meeting. Comments may be submitted in writing prior to the Housing & Community Development Committee meeting or in person at the meeting on December 16, 2025.

Questions and comments about the draft Action Plan may also be emailed to housing@cityofevanston.org or by calling 311 (if outside the City of Evanston dial 847-448-4311). A copy of the Draft 2026 Action Plan may be viewed in person at the City Clerk's Office, 909 Davis Street, Evanston or online at cityofevanston.org/conplan beginning Friday, November 14, 2025.

The City of Evanston is committed to making information and public meetings accessible to persons with
disabilities or limited English proficiency. For mobility or communications access assistance, contact
Facilities Management at 847-866-2916 (Voice) or 847-328-8052 (TDD).

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 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 include 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 final 2025 grant awards from HUD including ESG funds which were not included in the original draft and triggers a substantial amendment.