Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago | Community Investment Newsletter | April 2019 2018 Annual Report: Committed to Communities The FHLBank Chicago recently published its 2018 annual report, which highlights ways we are partnering, building, and transforming to better serve our members and their communities. The report also includes a video featuring the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, recipient of a Community First® Capacity-Building Grant through Town Bank. News Competitive Affordable Housing Program Opens May 6 The FHLBank Chicago announced a $23.8 million allocation to its 2019 competitive Affordable Housing Program (AHP). Applications for the 2019 round may be initiated in AHP Online beginning Monday, May 6; the application deadline is 5:00 p.m. CT on Friday, June 14. Read about learning opportunities and knowledge resources. Now Accepting Capacity-Building Grant Applications Applications are now being accepted for the Community First Capacity-Building Grant Program. Through this program, the FHLBank Chicago provides nonprofit lenders with grant funds to build organizational capacity that supports their efforts to meet the economic development and affordable housing needs of communities in Illinois and Wisconsin. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, May 10, at 5:00 p.m. CT. More details and the application can be found on the Capacity-Building Grants webpage. DPP® Off to a Strong Start  The 2019 Downpayment Plus® (DPP) and Downpayment Plus Advantage® (DPP Advantage®) programs opened on January 14. FHLBank Chicago members can always access the current available balance through the DPP Online dashboard. So far this year participating members have reserved $5.6 million on behalf of 1,000 homebuyers. The annual member limit remains at $420,000, available on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. Members may reference our newly recorded videos to learn more about the DPP programs, significant changes from 2018, and tips for navigating DPP Online. Please contact us at 312-565-5824 or dpp@fhlbc.com with any questions. 2019 Community First Awardees Four Community First Awards were presented at the FHLBank Chicago's 2019 regional member meetings. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements of member institutions and their local partners as they work together to strengthen their communities. Local partners identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000 on their behalf. Read more about the awardees. April Is National Fair Housing Month The FHLBank Chicago is proud to invest in inclusive programs and projects that create fair and equal access to housing opportunities for everyone. Visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity for fair housing news and resources.   Policy Corner Community Support Program System Now Available Many FHLBank Chicago members are required to submit a Community Support Statement to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) every two years. The 2019 Community Support Program (CSP) opened on April 1, 2019. Members subject to Community Support review must submit a Community Support Statement by October 31, 2019 using the online CSP system. More information on Community Support review, including a list of members subject to review in 2019, can be found on our Community Support Statements webpage. Please contact us at 312-565-5824 or CommunitySupportProgram@fhlbc.com with any questions.   FHFA Publishes Final AHP Rule  For over 25 years, the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) has successfully helped Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) members and their partners develop housing in the communities they serve. On November 28, 2018, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) published its amended regulation (Final AHP Rule) that recognizes the deep knowledge and expertise each FHLBank deploys in identifying and responding to the unique needs of its District. Members and sponsors are encouraged to review our AHP Modernization webpage, which includes a summary of significant changes and a link to the Final AHP Rule.    Community Lending Plan Amended The Affordable Housing Committee of the FHLBank Chicago Board of Directors recently approved amendments to the 2019 Community Lending Plan. The Plan uses market research to assess affordable housing and economic development needs in Illinois and Wisconsin; the recent amendment adds qualitative and quantitative goals, as well as diversity and inclusion metrics. Calendar Upcoming Events April 9 Illinois Housing Council’s Networking Breakfast  Chicago, IL | Attending  April 11 LISC Milwaukee’s Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation Milwaukee, WI | Attending, Judging, and Sponsoring April 17 FHLBank Chicago’s AHP Application Workshop Bloomington, IL | Hosting and Presenting April 23 FHLBank Chicago’s AHP Application Workshop Stevens Point, WI | Hosting and Presenting April 24 FHLBank Chicago’s AHP Application Workshop Madison, WI | Hosting and Presenting April 25 FHLBank Chicago’s AHP Application Workshop Milwaukee, WI | Hosting and Presenting May 1 FHLBank Chicago’s AHP Application Workshop Chicago, IL | Hosting and Presenting May 2 FHLBank Chicago’s AHP Application Workshop Chicago, IL | Hosting and Presenting May 6–7  Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies’ Annual Membership Conference  Springfield, IL | Attending, Exhibiting, Presenting, and Sponsoring  May 7  Illinois Housing Council’s Networking Breakfast  Chicago, IL | Presenting and Sponsoring  May 9  LISC Chicago’s Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards Chicago, IL | Attending, Judging, and Sponsoring     Project Spotlight: St. James Place Location: Pontiac, Illinois AHP award: $468,000 Member: First Midwest Bank Sponsor: Livingston Property Development NFP Photo courtesy of the Livingston County Housing Authority    FHLBank Chicago in Your Community View photos from events attended by FHLBank Chicago staff. Previous Editions › February 2019 › December 2018 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 © 2019, 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.