Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago | Community Investment Newsletter | December 2019
$27.7 Million Awarded Through 2019 Competitive Affordable Housing Program
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) announced that it has awarded $27.7 million in grants through the 2019 competitive Affordable Housing Program. Fifty awards were made to 37 member institutions and 34 sponsors to support the new construction, acquisition, and/or rehabilitation of 2,671 units of rental and owner-occupied housing. For more details, read the press release.
 
News
Katie Naftzger Named Community Investment Officer
Katie Naftzger was recently named Community Investment Officer for the FHLBank Chicago. Katie has been with the Bank since 2002 and has served in a variety of roles within the Community Investment Group, most recently as Senior Policy Specialist. Congratulations, Katie! 
Community First® Award Nominations Now Open
The annual Community First Awards recognize FHLBank Chicago member institutions and local partners for their work in building and strengthening communities. Nominations are accepted in four categories - Partnership, Project or Program, Pioneer, and Emerging Leader - and awardees identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000 on their behalf. The deadline for nominations is January 17, 2020. For more information on award categories and to submit a nomination, please see the nomination form
Register for a Downpayment Plus® Program Webinar
The 2020 DPP programs are scheduled to open on January 13 with an initial allocation; additional allocations will be made as they become available. Register for a webinar to learn more about the 2020 programs, including significant changes from 2019.

The FHLBank Chicago's 2019 Downpayment Plus (DPP®) and Downpayment Plus Advantage® (DPP Advantage®) programs still have funds available. New reservations of 2019 DPP funds will be accepted through December 31. Contact 312-565-5824 or dpp@fhlbc.com with any questions. 
Disaster Relief Program Update 
On October 7, 2019, the FHLBank Chicago announced a $500,000 allocation to its Community First Disaster Relief Program to assist communities affected by DR-4459 in Wisconsin and DR-4461 in Illinois. Members may submit applications for grant assistance on behalf of eligible households and businesses through December 20 or until funds are fully reserved, whichever occurs first. Applications may be found under Resources on the Disaster Relief webpage
Guide for Project Management Updated
The Guide for Project Management has been updated. Members and sponsors with AHP projects may review this guide for guidance on making changes in AHP Online, semi-annual progress reporting, extensions, and disbursements. 
Policy Corner
New Requirements for AHP Online and DPP Online Users
Effective January 1, 2020, the FHLBank Chicago will require Microsoft Excel 2010 or newer for files uploaded to AHP Online and/or DPP Online. Microsoft no longer supports Office versions prior to 2010. This change will minimize security threats associated with older versions. Users are encouraged to obtain Microsoft Excel 2010 or a newer version prior to January 1 in order to upload worksheets in the system. 
Final AHP Rule Implementation
On November 28, 2018, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) published its amended regulation (Final AHP Rule) giving the FHLBanks greater flexibility to identify and respond to the unique needs of their Districts. For an overview of the Final AHP Rule and a comprehensive list of changes effective in 2020 and 2021, visit our AHP Modernization webpage. Significant changes to owner-occupied competitive AHP projects effective January 1, 2020 are summarized here; significant changes to the Downpayment Plus Program effective January 1, 2020 are summarized here
Advisory
Advisory Council Members Recognized for Service
The FHLBank Chicago has recognized four professionals for completing a term of service on its Community Investment Advisory Council: Tom Landgraf, Jackie Newman, Sean O'Brien, and Valerie Johnson Renk. The Advisory Council consists of practitioners actively involved in providing or promoting affordable housing and/or community lending in Illinois or Wisconsin. The FHLBank Chicago expects to announce appointments to the 2020 Advisory Council soon. 
Reflections From the Advisory Council Leadership 
2019 has been a year of transition for the Community Investment Advisory Council. Many seasoned members completed their term on the Council, and others arrived, bringing new energy and points of view. We (Jackie and David) began our first year as chair and vice chair, respectively, and the opportunity to lead this group of accomplished professionals has been both thrilling and humbling. The diversity and breadth of knowledge, experience, and expertise they bring to the council from their work in communities across our district enriches the insights we contribute to the FHLBank Chicago’s Community Investment programs.

Read more from the chair and vice chair. 

 
Calendar
Upcoming Events
December 10  Interfaith Housing Development Corporation's Annual Holiday Breakfast
Chicago, IL | Attending and Sponsoring  
March 2-3 Illinois Housing Council's 2020 Affordable Housing Forum
Chicago, IL | Attending, Exhibiting, Speaking, and Sponsoring  
March 4 Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago's Annual Awards Dinner 
Chicago, IL ǀ Attending 
April 2 LISC Milwaukee's Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation 
Milwaukee, WI | Attending and Sponsoring 
April 23 LISC Chicago's Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards 
Chicago, IL ǀ Attending, Judging, and Sponsoring
   
   
Project Spotlight:
Arc of the Quad Cities Area Capital Expenditures
Location: Rock Island and Moline, Illinois

AHP Award: $432,000

Member: Modern Woodmen of America

Sponsor: The Arc of the Quad Cities Area

Photo courtesy of The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
 
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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," "DPP Advantage," "Mortgage Partnership Finance," and "MPF"  are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.