Housing Grant to Help Low-Income Residents
Buy Homes
A $645,000 state grant will assist
families supported by federal Housing Choice Vouchers buy homes
in Oak Park. The grant will fund zero-interest subordinate
loans to help eligible purchasers qualify for conventional
first-mortgage loans. The Housing
Choice Voucher Program -- formerly
known as Section 8 -- provides rent subsidies to qualifying
low-income families, but also may be used to repay home loans.
Under the terms of the new program, a maximum loan of $50,000
may be awarded to assist qualifying families purchase a home.
Qualifying families must be in good standing with the Oak
Park Housing Authority and have at least one family member who
is employed on a full-time basis. Annual family income must be
at least $20,000. The program, likely to start in the fall of
2004, is expected to focus primarily on providing the
opportunity to purchase a two- or three-bedroom condominium
unit. Current Housing Choice Voucher Program participants will
be given notice of program requirements within the next few
months. For more information call 386.9322.
First time homebuyer seminar
A free seminar to help prospective
first-time homebuyers understand loan programs available in Oak
Park is scheduled for 7 - 8:30p.m., Tues. August 10 at Village
Hall, 123 Madison St. Financial assistance programs will be
explained and participants will receive a free packet of
helpful information. Pre-registration is required. Call
358.5408 or email comsvcs@oak-park.us.
Condominium network meeting
Association board members and unit owners
are invited to learn more about their roles and
responsibilities at a Condominium Network meeting scheduled for
7:30 - 9 p.m., Tues., Aug. 17 in Village Hall, 123 Madison St.
Presentations will cover condo safety, management's
perspectives and funding capital improvements. For more
information call 358.5411 or email comsvcs@oak-park.us. Reservations are
not required.
Home safety seminar
The Oak Park Fire Department will host a
home safety seminar from 7 - 9:30 p.m., Tues., Aug. 31, at the
Main Fire Station, 100 N. Euclid Ave. The fast-paced session
will include props and pictures from actual fires. Discussion topics
will include:
• Electrical
safety -- GFCI, AFCI, LDCI -- sorting out the new technology
• What's
new in smoke detection theories and devices
• Fire
extinguishers -- not as easy to use as you may think
• How to
safely remove paint and varnish
• The
number one cause of home fires
• Three
steps that can make the difference in surviving a fire
The seminar is free to all Oak Park
residents, but advance registration is necessary. For more
information or to register call the 358.5606 or email fire@oak-park.us.
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Bicycles thefts tend to increase during
warmer weather. By following these steps you can help deter
bicycle thieves:
• Register your bike with the Police
Department. No step is more
important than this should your bike be stolen and later
recovered by police. The registration process gives police a
description of the bicycle, its unique serial number and the
name, address and telephone number of its rightful owner.
• Never leave your bike unlocked or
unattended. An unlocked
bicycle is an open invitation to a thief.
• Use a heavy lock, such as a
case-hardened U-lock that can't easily be cut. While cables
sometimes are easier to use and store, they can be cut more
quickly than a U-lock by a thief with the right tools.
• Lock your bike even when it is stored
in a closed garage, enclosed porch or basement common area. Even if a thief
gets inside, a properly secured bicycle is not an easy target.
• Call the police immediately if you
see anyone suspicious hanging around a bike rack, in a
neighbor's yard or near a garage. Don't worry about
bothering police with a call because you are unsure if a crime
is underway or imminent. Police officers would much rather
investigate a citizen inquiry that turns out not to be a crime,
than not get the call until after the crime has been committed.
• Warn younger children never to let
anyone but a trusted friend ride their bike and not to be
fooled by strangers who ask to borrow their bike. Many thieves try
this ruse as a quick and easy way to steal a bicycle.
For more information on deterring bicycle
thieves, call the police non-emergency number 386.3800, email police@oak-park.us or talk to
your Resident Beat Officer (RBO).
