A $1 million housing program that preserves affordability along “The 606” Bloomingdale Trail on Chicago’s Northwest Side was approved today by City Council.

The 606 Bloomingdale Trail Home Improvement Program will provide forgivable home improvement grants to owner-occupants of one- to four-unit properties along 1.5 miles of the trail, which runs along Bloomindale Avenue through Logan Square, Humboldt Park and West Town. Portions of each community have experienced gentrification pressures since the trail opened on a former railroad viaduct in 2015.

The grants will cover up to $25,000 for masonry repairs, porch and roof improvements, tuckpointing, door and window repairs, and other exterior upgrades. Up to 30 percent of each grant could also be used to repair select interior health and safety hazards involving plumbing, heating and electrical systems.

Eligible properties must be located within an area generally bounded by Pulaski Road, California Avenue, LeMoyne Street and Dickens Avenue.

The grants are intended to preserve affordability for property owners that have lived in their homes for at least three years and earn up to 120 percent of area median income, or approximately $94,800 for a family of four. Twenty percent of the grant amount will be forgiven for each year of the five-year term. If the owner moves, sells or leases the home before the term expires, the pro-rated balance must be repaid. Other program rules apply.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago will administer the program with funding from the City’s Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund. The City will begin accepting applications for the program later this year.

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