Consolidated Plan
Executive Summary
Located on the urbanizing fringe of metropolitan Chicago, the City of Aurora is the beneficiary of unprecedented growth, both in terms of physical size, population and economic clout. Having just determined its final corporate boundaries, the City has sufficient room to accommodate growth demands for the next 20 years.
Its population is just under 143,000, making it the second largest city in the State of Illinois. Recent estimates place the population in excess of 150,000, with an anticipated count exceeding 200,000 by 2025. Its people are becoming more diverse. Roughly 35% of Aurora's residents are now Hispanic, and another 10% are African-American. The White-Anglo population, despite growing numbers, now comprises about 55% of the City's total.
Business development and job growth continue at a steady pace, providing employment opportunities for residents and non-residents alike. New businesses in professional and general services, warehousing and distribution have buttressed diminished but still vital manufacturing component.
The City, together with for-profit and non-profit partner organizations, has developed a strong network of social supports for less fortunate residents. This collaboration has resulted in an ability to provide a comprehensive array of services to those needing them. It has also enabled various agencies to more effectively manage the allocation and distribution of funds to service agencies, thereby reducing redundancy and increasing the level of complementary services. Additional enhancements are contemplated since it is critical that every dollar devoted to service, be put to productive use. This is especially true in tough economic conditions, which bring demands for increased services but less funding to provide them.
The City's housing market is robust and diverse, ranging in age, style, amenity level, price, and in tenure (owner/renter) distribution. Aurora offers more affordable housing than many other communities in the area. Neighborhoods are, for the most part, stable and values are increasing. They may by now have exceeded what many lower-income families can afford. Programs to promote housing affordability are therefore important to achieving the City's housing mission. The Aurora Housing Authority has provided over 1,500 units of public and privately assisted (Section 8) housing for lower income people, and a number of services to assist them. With the possible exception of the City of Elgin in the northern part of Kane County, the City of Aurora has provided more affordable housing for lower income households than any other community in the area. This has resulted in a lively debate concerning future directions in housing policy.
There are, however, some clouds on the horizon. A number of serious problems, including youthful gang activity, which surged during the summer of 2002, along with a rash of highly, profiled shootings and murders. This crime wave has made all residents uneasy and has raised concerns about the future of the community. The City has responded vigorously, providing outreach services to youth and parents alike and has also stepped up public safety operations to stem the violence.
The immigrant population, much of it foreign-born and non-English speaking, is working to adjust to its new environment, but needs additional services and assistance to smooth the adjustment period. This transition has stressed families and individuals due to language and cultural differences and, frequently, due to radical differences between life in a modern urban society and an agrarian society. These threaten to delay or outright kill chances for successful adaptation.
Aurora is a city of contrasts, with at least three different parts. First there is the developing fringe, characterized by affluence. Residents of this area tend to be middle- or upper-middle class, live in newer and more upscale housing. They demand quality services and amenities, and are particularly in need of infrastructure (primarily streets and bridges to promote pedestrian and traffic safety). Second, there are residents who moved into older neighborhoods, primarily on the west side of the Fox River, for quality housing and a high quality of life. This area has recently seen some demographic and economic change, and has witnessed some of the gang activity as well. As a result, some residents are concerned that they may lose the life they have enjoyed for so long. They want City intervention to preserve the housing stock, to provide facilities and services, and generally, intervention to help allay their concerns. Finally, there are residents living in the near east side of the City. This area is the oldest part of the City, has the poorest population (and the highest degree of poverty). It also has the highest concentrations of racial and ethnic minorities, traditionally the highest rates of crime, lower educational attainment levels and many other indicators of economic distress. Its residents need basic services (education, health, transportation, child care to name a few) to help them improve their economic standing. These conditions pose a stiff challenge for the City, and will challenge its creativity and financial ability to address them. People in this area may also live in overcrowded and/or substandard housing. It also contains the highest incidence lead and the highest incidence of lead poisoning in the area. Programs of housing repair and lead hazard reduction are therefore required.
This Consolidated Plan (Plan) details the physical, economic, demographic, and social conditions and needs within Aurora. It also outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the needs, which have been identified. The reader should note that this Plan is required for receipt of Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Federal rules direct program expenditures to programs and activities which address the needs of lower-income persons or which prevent or eliminate slums and blight. The programs and activities contained in it are, as required by Federal mandate, designed to address those needs. The City views this Plan as an integral part of its overall effort to provide a decent quality of life for all Aurora residents, and has designed it to achieve an optimum level of services in the most efficient manner possible.