Items tagged: Neighborhood Services Department

City Awarded Strong Communities Grant

In June 2023, the Neighborhood Services Department applied for the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Strong Communities Program (SCP) grant. The City was recently notified it was awarded $135,000 in grant funds. This money will aid in returning approximately 11 vacant residential properties in Champaign to productive and taxable uses. This is done by demolishing […]


City Hosts Enforcement Education and Resource Fair at Providence at Thornberry

On August 17, 2023, staff from the Equity and Engagement, Neighborhood Services, Police, and Fire Departments partnered to host an Enforcement Education and Resource Fair for neighbors of Providence at Thornberry. The resource fair was held as part of a coordinated response to neighborhood concerns and issues reported to the City. Approximately 150 Providence neighbors […]


City Staff Attends Annual National Community Development Association Conference

Community Development Specialists Betsy Barclay and Shelby Mammano of the Neighborhood Services Department attended the Annual National Community Development Association (NCDA) Conference in June. Each year, the NCDA hosts a conference for agencies that receive federal funds for community development activities. The NCDA Conference provides attendees with the opportunity to attend a variety of sessions. […]


NSD Hosts Game Night at Hedge POP! Park

On Thursday June 9th, the Neighborhood Services Department hosted a Game Night event at Hedge POP! Park from 5-7pm. City staff from NSD, Champaign Police, and Equity and Engagement Departments were on hand to engage with Garden Hills youth at the park.  These events are held each Thursday at a different park throughout the city. […]


Neighborhood Services and Busey Bank Successfully Close Out the Affordable Housing Program Grant

In June 2019 Neighborhood Services partnered with Busey Bank to apply for a highly competitive Affordable Housing Program grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLB). In November 2019 the Neighborhood Services Department received notice that they were approved for the grant for the purpose of providing safety and lighting upgrades to single […]


2023 Boneyard Creek Community Day

Boneyard Creek Community Day (BCCD) started in 2006, and what started as a few volunteers to clean up the Boneyard Creek, has turned into over 900 volunteers to clean up litter around the community. Boneyard Creek Community Day is organized by Champaign Park District, Urbana Park District, University of Illinois Facility Services, Prairie Rivers, Savoy, […]


Neighborhood Services and Equity and Engagement Departments Relocating to New Offices

On February 27, 2023, the City of Champaign’s Neighborhood Services and Equity and Engagement Departments will begin serving the public from a new location in Downtown Champaign. The new offices are located at 205 W. Park Avenue, just west of the Virginia Theatre and a short walk from their current home in the City Building. […]


Overview of Neighborhood Ambassador Program Presented to Strides Staff

The Strides Low Barrier Shelter is scheduled to open on December 12, 2022. This week, Neighborhood Ambassador Supervisor, Jacqueline Kalipeni, met with the Strides staff at the Champaign Public Library to provide an overview of the Neighborhood Ambassador Program. Strides will host their Community Service Day events on December 8 and 9. The service day […]


Cities of Champaign and Urbana Accepting Applications for $5.8 million of Affordable Housing and Homelessness Innovations Grant Funds

Tomorrow, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana and the Urbana HOME Consortium will publish the Housing and Homelessness Innovations (HHI) Consolidated Grant Application for agencies that support affordable housing development and homeless services in Champaign County. A total of $5.8 million in grant funds are available to support permanent affordable housing units, homeless shelters, tenant […]


Neighborhood Ambassador Program Presented at Friday Forum Conversation Café

On October 21, 2022, Neighborhood Ambassador Supervisor Jacqueline Kalipeni participated in the Friday Forum Conversation Café, in partnership with the YMCA, and the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations at the University of Illinois to talk about the Neighborhood Ambassador Program and how the City Organization can work with and help students. Her presentation brought […]