Though Freeport remains one of the most affordable cities to purchase a home in northwest
Illinois, Freeport Mayor Jodi Miller thinks the city can do better. The two-term mayor says it’s
time to explore an infill housing strategy that would make affordable housing available on some
of the city’s empty lots.
 

“For many people these days finding that first starter home can be a challenge,” says Mayor
Miller. “Especially for younger adults who are just starting to build up their credit. We see an
opportunity to develop new, affordable, single-family homes in neighborhoods that already
exist and already are receiving city services.”
 

 

Mayor Miller argues infill housing on empty lots created by the city’s aggressive blight removal
program might be less expensive to develop as the infrastructure—like streets, water, and
sewer—are already present.
 

Mayor Miller says staff at City Hall have already begun to look at other communities in the
Midwest that have implemented successful strategies activating empty lots in residential
neighborhoods.
 

Coupled with the city’s pursuit of an infill housing strategy is the city’s efforts to secure
additional housing rehabilitation funding for low-income homeowners. The Miller
administration is pursuing an Illinois Housing Development Authority Home Repair and
Accessibility Program grant that will give qualified homeowners access to much needed housing
rehabilitation funds.
 

“Preserving and improving our housing stock throughout Freeport is vitally important as we
continue to make progress in improving the quality of life we have here in our city,” says Mayor
Miller. “Safe and affordable housing is one piece of the puzzle in strengthening our
neighborhoods"