March 26, 2025 – The Central IL Land Bank Authority (CILBA) has completed another three “Abandonment to Rehab” projects in Decatur. The program works to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to City residents.
With grant support from an Illinois Housing Development Authority’s (IHDA) Strong Communities grant and the City of Decatur’s American Rescue Plan funding, CILBA completed gut rehabs at 1276 W Marietta, 1570 W Forest, and 2198 E Hendrix.
CILBA’s Executive Director, Mike Davis said “these gut rehabs are difficult projects and none of this work happens without partners like the City of Decatur and IHDA. Whether it’s a local nurse, teacher, firefighter, or police officer – these homes are great opportunities for first time homebuyers and help preserve the City’s tax base.”
Land of Lincoln Credit Union identified 1570 W Forest as a rehab opportunity, provided a low-interest Line of Credit to emerging contractors working on several rehab projects, and also provided a Line of Credit to the land bank to help bridge reimbursable grant funds from the state.
Decatur’s Mayor, Julie Moore Wolfe, said “the rehab work that CILBA has accomplished the last two years aligns with the City’s goals of preserving homes, preventing the next wave of demolitions, and strengthening our neighborhoods one block at a time. We hope that prospective homebuyers will use the City’s Down Payment Assistance Program on homes like this.”
The Open Houses for 1276 W Marietta and 1570 W Forest will take place on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with Main Place Real Estate. Both homes are listed on MLS for sale. The third gut rehab at 2198 E Hendrix will have an Open House in April.
For more information on the City’s Down Payment Assistance program, contact Aaron Eubanks at 217-424-2797. To be eligible for the City’s Down Payment Assistance program, people must take a homeownership class and be income qualified. The Community Investment Corporation of Decatur is offering these classes to support residents that want to access Decatur’s down payment program.
