Read more about the article COVID-19 delays, alters University inspections of private certified housing; less violations discovered annually
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity on the University of Illinois campus has been placed on conduct probation until Nov. 16, 2021 after violating mask protocol and city emergency orders.

COVID-19 delays, alters University inspections of private certified housing; less violations discovered annually

Between 2020 and 2021 in Champaign, more than 40 private certified housing locations for the University of Illinois campus decreased the number of violations…

Continue ReadingCOVID-19 delays, alters University inspections of private certified housing; less violations discovered annually
Read more about the article University Housing inspections strive to be thorough despite lack of local inspection processDarrell Hoemann
Illinois Street Residence (ISR) Halls, exterior (1010 W Illinois St, Urbana, IL 61801) on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

University Housing inspections strive to be thorough despite lack of local inspection process

Each year, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign maintenance crews inspect the conditions of its 17 undergraduate and graduate residence hall locations to correct the…

Continue ReadingUniversity Housing inspections strive to be thorough despite lack of local inspection process
Read more about the article Champaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customersGoogle Map Street View
Illinois American Water in Urbana at 1406 W Cardinal Court.

Champaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customers

The mayors of the cities of Champaign and Urbana say the cities are filing documents to intervene in the efforts of Illinois American Water…

Continue ReadingChampaign, Urbana intervening to combat American Water’s request to raise rates for residential customers
Read more about the article University of Illinois dorm maintenance relies on facility staff responses to thousands of requests, lack annual inspectionsDarrell Hoemann
Illinois Street Residence (ISR) Halls, exterior (1010 W Illinois St, Urbana, IL 61801) on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

University of Illinois dorm maintenance relies on facility staff responses to thousands of requests, lack annual inspections

The university has a total of 37 student housing options: 24 regular dorms and 13 Private Certified Housing options. “A search for one month produced more than 800 Maintenance Inspector Weekend Logs, 2,400 Maintenance Request Database entries, and 3,000 work orders in the database,” University of Illinois Chief Records Officer Kristen Ruby stated in an email.

Continue ReadingUniversity of Illinois dorm maintenance relies on facility staff responses to thousands of requests, lack annual inspections
Read more about the article University Tenant Union Housing Portal taken down for violating ad policies, but decision eliminates student complaints against landlordsHousing Explorer web page
The Housing Explorer was among one of the cuts to student and community resources made by the University of Illinois's Off-Campus Community Living Office.

University Tenant Union Housing Portal taken down for violating ad policies, but decision eliminates student complaints against landlords

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign quietly removed an online portal last year that, compiled a database of student complaints against area landlords and landlord responses to those complaints. A university official said this month that the site was taken down because it violated campus website advertising rules and that it was too much work to maintain the complaints section. The University of Illinois Off-Campus Community Living suggests that students use sites like Google Reviews, Yelp, the U of I Reddit Page, or the Better Business Bureau to draw their own conclusions about leasing companies on campus. 

Continue ReadingUniversity Tenant Union Housing Portal taken down for violating ad policies, but decision eliminates student complaints against landlords
Read more about the article University makes cuts to student services at off-campus community living officeHousing Explorer web page
The Housing Explorer was among one of the cuts to student and community resources made by the University of Illinois's Off-Campus Community Living Office.

University makes cuts to student services at off-campus community living office

At a time when students are struggling with leases, lockdowns, and landlords, the University’s Off-Campus Community Living Office has cut services and made major changes in its office. Among the cuts have been the elimination of the online service known as the “Housing Explorer,” which allowed students with information on rental properties in the Champaign-Urbana and to complain about landlords who provided poor housing.

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Read more about the article Waitlist extends as Champaign County housing authority faces resource shortage
Hamilton on the Park in Urbana is one of the Housing Authority of Champaign County's properties. Photo from HACC website.

Waitlist extends as Champaign County housing authority faces resource shortage

5,210 individuals are on the waitlist for all properties and programs that the Housing Authority of Champaign County supports, according to the authority’s 2020 Fact Sheet. The annual budget from the federal government is about $23 million. According to the housing authority, they’re in the process of developing over $100 million in new units inside and outside Champaign County.

Continue ReadingWaitlist extends as Champaign County housing authority faces resource shortage

Citizens Utility Board issues scam warning

The Illinois Citizens Utility Board has warned of several scams that take advantage of utility consumers. Among the scams the board noted in a June 30 email to consumers was a maintenance plan, where water companies offer a protection plan to people that is often expensive and frequently goes unused. The board was created by state law in 1984 to advocate for Illinoisans in dealing with utility companies, and its website said it has saved the state’s residents $20 billion by stopping rate increases. The group is not affiliated with a political party, but was created by an Illinois law.

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Read more about the article ‘Move to Work’ program attributed to higher average household incomes in Champaign CountyHACC
The Housing Authority of Champaign County's (HACC) website.

‘Move to Work’ program attributed to higher average household incomes in Champaign County

The national average income per household receiving assistance from a housing authority is approximately $12,000 a year, but in Champaign County the average income per household is $17,500. David Northern, Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of Champaign County, attributes the higher income to a work program started in 2011.

Continue Reading‘Move to Work’ program attributed to higher average household incomes in Champaign County
Read more about the article Small budget, big impact: Champaign weatherization program reaches more homesIllinois Department of Commerce
Community action agencies for weatherization programs, compiled by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

Small budget, big impact: Champaign weatherization program reaches more homes

With a budget of $600,000 the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission Weatherization program often can be overlooked. However, it helps many low-income families save money and get access to basic housing needs. According to the CCRPC 2018 annual report, the average material cost per home was $7,471. 39 homes received these services in 2018, an increase of 16 homes from the previous year. Champaign County Regional Planning Commission's Michael Hunter said he would like to see it increased, with more houses applying and obtaining services.

Continue ReadingSmall budget, big impact: Champaign weatherization program reaches more homes