Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago | Community Investment Newsletter | December 2017 $24.1 Million Awarded Through 2017 Competitive Affordable Housing Program The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago announced that it has awarded $24.1 million in grants through the 2017 competitive Affordable Housing Program. Forty-two awards were made to 23 member institutions and 34 sponsors to support the new construction, acquisition, and/or rehabilitation of 2,164 units of rental or owner-occupied housing. For more information, read the press release. News Downpayment Plus® Funds Still Available The FHLBank Chicago opened its Downpayment Plus (DPP®) programs on March 13. So far this year, participating members have reserved more than $17 million on behalf of nearly 3,000 homebuyers. In 2017, each participating member may access up to $420,000 on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds have been reserved. The 2018 DPP programs are scheduled to open in March. Members enrolled in the 2017 DPP programs do not need to re-enroll for 2018. Contact us at 312-565-5824 or dpp@fhlbc.com with any questions. Community First® Award Nominations Now Open The annual Community First Awards recognize member institutions and local partners for their work in building and strengthening communities. Awards are given in four categories—Partnership, Project or Program, Pioneer, and Emerging Leader—and recipients identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000 on their behalf. The deadline for nominations is January 19, 2018. For more information on award categories and to submit a nomination, please see this form. Read about the 2017 award winners here. 2018 Affordable Housing Program Details Announced The FHLBank Chicago’s Board of Directors has approved the 2018 Affordable Housing Program Implementation Plan, which outlines requirements and guidelines applicable to the Bank’s Affordable Housing Program. The Affordable Housing Program includes both the homeownership set-aside program (Downpayment Plus) and the competitive program. Read More Advisory Advisory Council Members Recognized for Service The FHLBank Chicago has recognized five professionals for completing a term of service on the Bank’s Community Investment Advisory Council: Joy Aruguete, James Hill, Irma Yepez Klassen, Mary Patoka, and Katrina Van Valkenburgh. View their photo here. The Advisory Council consists of representatives actively involved in providing or promoting affordable housing and/or community lending in Illinois or Wisconsin. The Bank expects to announce appointments to the 2018 Advisory Council soon. Reflections From the Advisory Council Leadership The Community Investment Advisory Council is ending 2017 on a celebratory note. Interest in the FHLBank Chicago’s community investment programs has continued to grow this year, with five new member applicants and 25 new sponsor applicants for our competitive Affordable Housing Program and 263 members enrolled in our Downpayment Plus programs. Read More Calendar Upcoming Events December 5 WWBIC’s 30th Anniversary Luncheon Milwaukee, WI | Attending December 7 Interfaith Housing Development Corp.’s Annual Breakfast and 25th Anniversary Celebration Chicago, IL | Attending and Sponsoring  February 21–22         IHDA and IHC’s Illinois Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing Chicago, IL | Attending, Exhibiting, and Sponsoring March 13 NHS of Chicago’s Annual Awards Dinner Chicago, IL | Attending and Sponsoring March 15 LISC Milwaukee’s Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation Milwaukee, WI | Attending and Sponsoring March 18–21 National Interagency Community Reinvestment Conference Miami, FL | Attending and Sponsoring April 5 LISC Chicago’s Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards Chicago, IL | Attending and Sponsoring May 14–16 Mission Investors Exchange’s National Conference Chicago, IL | Attending May 15–17  Center for Community Progress’ Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference Milwaukee, WI | Attending and Sponsoring     Project Spotlight: Pana Towers Location: Pana, Illinois   AHP award: $432,000   Member: Peoples Bank & Trust   Sponsor: Christian County Integrated Community Services FHLBank Chicago in Your Community View photos from recent events attended by FHLBank Chicago staff. Previous Editions › October 2017 › August 2017 Subscribe Printer Friendly   Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago 200 East Randolph Drive Chicago, IL 60601 www.fhlbc.com This newsletter contains forward-looking statements which are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. These statements may use forward-looking terms, such as "anticipates,” "believes," "expects," "could," "plans," "estimates," "may," "should," "will," or their negatives or other variations on these terms. We caution that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk or uncertainty, that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements, and that actual events could affect the extent to which a particular objective, projection, estimate, or prediction is realized. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk factors set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on our website at www.fhlbc.com. Copyright © 2018, Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. "Community First," "Downpayment Plus," "DPP," "Downpayment Plus Advantage," and "DPP Advantage" are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.