MT. VERNON – The Mt. Vernon City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Mt. Vernon Housing Authority’s Community Revitalization Plan at Monday’s meeting.

Housing Authority Executive Director Sierra Daniels says a few years ago they partnered with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to develop a plan that combines accurate housing data with feedback from people who live and work in Mt. Vernon with the goal of driving both housing growth and economic development.

Daniels says this plan was first presented in October 2023. Since that time, the plan has updated its community feedback by holding a community listening session last fall. She says one of the most urgent needs it highlights is the need to increase affordable housing for families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and members of our workforce that all need accessible, safe and affordable housing options if we want to grow as a community.

Even though the focus of this plan is to increase affordable housing, it also includes a lot of community development opportunities. Community need assessments show the need for infrastructure improvements, a recreation center, child care availability and so on for residents. It was also stressed at the meeting that this plan was not prepared by the IHDA. It was prepared by the citizens and residents of Mt. Vernon.