HRA continues work on housing trust fund, budget and remaining ARPA funds
County officials continue working through the budget process as mid-2026 nears.
During the most recent Cook County Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) meeting on June 17, the HRA board reviewed the 2025 audit and discussed the upcoming 2027 levy request.
The audit, presented by Andy Hering with Redpath & Company, LLC, showed that as of Dec. 31, 2025, the HRA still held $501,650 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that must be spent before the end of 2026 or returned to the U.S. Treasury.
The funds were allocated to Cook County in 2022 and 2023 by the U.S. Treasury Department for needs ranging from housing to local roads. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, ARPA funds were provided to eligible revenue-sharing counties and tribal governments for use on any governmental purpose.
The HRA has spent ARPA funds on several projects in previous years, including the Gunflint Vue apartments and The Heights apartments for pre-development costs or as a match for state funding.
Of the remaining funds, Jeff Brand, the Cook County HRA director, said a portion, approximately $300,000, has been earmarked for ongoing projects. Two of the housing-related projects receiving ARPA are Norra Skogen and the One Roof Community Housing project Nordic Star. One Roof is expanding the Nordic Star project by 10 homes, and the ARPA funds will help pay for infrastructure, Brand said.
“And then what’s left over will be for a couple of projects that we’re working on,” Brand said.
Other potential uses for the remaining funds, Brand said, could be towards a proposed workforce housing project on the former Tomteboda Motel site, among other initiatives.
During the June 17 meeting, the HRA reviewed and approved a 2027 levy request. The request will next move to the Cook County Auditor/Treasurer and the Cook County Commissioners for review and consideration. The HRA’s proposed 2027 budget request is a 7% increase over the previous year, primarily driven by higher personnel and benefit costs.
As 2026 progresses, the HRA intends to continue work on establishing a local housing trust fund, an initiative discussed in its strategic plan.
Brand described the local housing trust fund as a separate entity from the HRA, governed independently and designed to function similarly to an endowment supporting rent subsidies, down payment assistance, pre-development costs, and other housing-related initiatives.
While details of the trust fund are still being developed, Brand said one potential funding source is the 1% voluntary surcharge collected through Cascade Vacation Rentals, which has generated roughly $100,000 over the years.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Cook County HRA Director Jeff Brand following the June 17 meeting about the audit, budget, ongoing housing projects, and the local housing trust fund. Audio below.
Kalli Hawkins June 21, 2026
