Title
Resolution of the County Board of the County of Lake, Illinois supporting the transfer of the Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Proposed Transfer of the Public Housing Program from the Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago to the Housing Authority of the County of Lake, and Supporting a proposed seven-member Governing Board.
Staff Summary
• Lake County Housing Authority provided the attached Resolution supporting the transfer of the Housing Choice Voucher Program from the Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago to the Housing Authority of the County of Lake.
• The action also indicates support for the transfer of the Public Housing Program from the Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago to the Housing Authority of the County of Lake.
• Finally, the resolution states Lake County support for a proposed seven-member Governing Board, of which Lake County would appoint five members.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 10 of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 and the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 5 ILCS 220/1 et seq., authorize units of local government to cooperate in the exercise of their respective powers and responsibilities as permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Authorities Act, 310 ILCS 10/1 et seq., establishes the statutory framework governing the creation, organization, appointment, and operation of housing authorities in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued Notice PIH 2014-24, Process for Public Housing Agency Voluntary Transfers and Consolidations of the Public Housing Program, establishing procedures and requirements for voluntary transfers and consolidations of public housing programs between public housing agencies (PHAs); and
WHEREAS, the Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago (NCHA), HUD identification number IL107, and the Housing Authority of the County of Lake (LCHA), HUD identification number IL056, have adopted resolutions authorizing the transfer and acceptance of certain housing assistance programs, subject to applicable legal requirements and HUD approval; and
WHEREAS, LCHA Resolution 2026-12, adopted March 19, 2026, and NCHA Resolution 2026-05, adopted March 25, 2026, authorized the transfer and acceptance, respectively, of NCHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, subject to required approvals; and
WHEREAS, NCHA and LCHA entered into an intergovernmental agreement dated April 15, 2026, concerning the transfer of the HCV Program and the associated resources, responsibilities, and obligations; and
WHEREAS, HUD approved the voluntary transfer of NCHA’s HCV Program on August 31, 2026, with an effective date of October 1, 2026, encompassing 476 Housing Choice Vouchers, 70 HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, and five (5) Family Unification Program vouchers, for a total of 551 vouchers; and
WHEREAS, the approved HCV transfer requires appropriate financial reconciliation, program closeout, reporting, and treatment of restricted and unrestricted net positions in accordance with HUD requirements and instructions; and
WHEREAS, NCHA Resolution 2026-15, adopted August 26, 2026, and LCHA Resolution 2026-29, adopted September 17, 2026, authorized the proposed transfer and acceptance, respectively, of NCHA’s Public Housing Program, subject to HUD approval and other applicable requirements; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Public Housing Program transfer includes 150 public housing units within Asset Management Project AMP 1, consisting of 105 units at Kukla Towers and 45 units at Thompson Manor, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2027, or such other date as HUD approves in writing; and
WHEREAS, the County Board recognizes the importance of establishing a sustainable governance structure that provides appropriate representation, accountability, oversight, and continuity in the administration of housing assistance programs serving Lake County and the City of North Chicago; and
WHEREAS, the County Board supports consideration of a seven-member governing board for the consolidated or successor housing authority, with five commissioners appointed by Lake County Government and two commissioners appointed by the City of North Chicago, subject to confirmation of the lawful appointing authority, applicable Illinois law, any necessary intergovernmental agreement or amendment, and required HUD approvals; and
WHEREAS, the proposed governing structure is intended to provide Lake County with a majority of appointments while maintaining representation for North Chicago in recognition of the community served by NCHA and the transfer of its housing assistance programs; and
WHEREAS, the County Board intends that the proposed governing structure be implemented only through the legally required resolutions, agreements, appointments, amendments, filings, and approvals necessary to establish the authority and responsibilities of the seven-member governing board; and
WHEREAS, the County Board desires to support the continued provision of safe, decent, affordable housing, the continuity of housing assistance for residents and participants, and the responsible administration of federal housing resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the County Board of the County of Lake, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1. INCORPORATION OF RECITALS
The foregoing recitals are incorporated into and made part of this Resolution as though fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2. SUPPORT FOR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM TRANSFER
The County Board supports the transfer of NCHA’s HCV Program, HUD identification number IL107, to LCHA, HUD identification number IL056, encompassing the 551 vouchers described in this Resolution and approved by HUD effective October 1, 2026.
The County Board acknowledges the intergovernmental agreement dated April 15, 2026, and supports completion of all required financial reconciliation, reporting, closeout, and other administrative actions necessary to implement the transfer in accordance with HUD requirements.
SECTION 3. SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM TRANSFER
The County Board supports the proposed transfer of NCHA’s Public Housing Program, comprising 150 units at Kukla Towers and Thompson Manor, to LCHA, subject to written HUD approval and compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, HUD notices, and contractual requirements.
The proposed transfer shall be implemented through the necessary transfer agreement or amendment and related documents establishing the transfer of authorized assets, funds, liabilities, contracts, and program responsibilities.
SECTION 4. PROPOSED SEVEN-MEMBER GOVERNING BOARD
The County Board expresses its support for establishing a seven-member governing board for the housing authority responsible for administering the transferred programs, subject to applicable law and all required approvals.
The proposed composition shall be as follows:
1. Five commissioners appointed by Lake County Government, through the legally authorized appointing authority and subject to any required confirmation or approval; and
2. Two commissioners appointed by the City of North Chicago, provided that the authority to make such appointments is confirmed under applicable law and implemented through the appropriate legal instruments.
The parties shall determine, with the assistance of their respective legal counsel, the appropriate appointment, confirmation, qualification, term, vacancy, removal, and succession procedures for all seven commissioners.
Nothing in this Resolution shall be construed to confer appointment authority upon an entity that does not possess such authority under applicable law or a validly executed agreement authorized by law.
SECTION 5. IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
The County Board supports the preparation and execution of any necessary intergovernmental agreement, amendment, governing document, resolution, ordinance, appointment instrument, or other legal document required to establish the proposed seven-member governing board.
The proposed structure shall not become effective solely by virtue of this Resolution. Its implementation shall be contingent upon:
A. Review and confirmation of authority under the Illinois Housing Authorities Act and other applicable law;
B. Approval and execution of any necessary intergovernmental agreement or amendment by the parties possessing the legal authority to do so;
C. Adoption of any additional resolutions or ordinances required by the applicable governmental bodies;
D. Completion of required commissioner appointments, confirmations, qualifications, and filings; and
E. Receipt of any HUD approval or acknowledgment required for the proposed arrangement.
SECTION 6. HUD COMPLIANCE AND TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS
The County Board supports implementation of the Public Housing Program transfer in accordance with HUD Notice PIH 2014-24 and all other applicable HUD requirements.
The transfer shall remain subject to HUD’s written approval, including the approved effective date, scope of transferred units, treatment of assets and liabilities, Annual Contributions Contract requirements, funding arrangements, and other applicable transfer conditions.
The transfer of the HCV Program shall remain subject to HUD’s applicable approval, reconciliation, reporting, and closeout requirements.
SECTION 7. LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY
Nothing in this Resolution shall be interpreted as independently transferring ownership of property, federal program funds, contractual rights, liabilities, or Annual Contributions Contract obligations; modifying the legal status of either housing authority; or changing the appointment or removal authority established by law.
Any such action shall be completed only pursuant to applicable law, required governmental approvals, HUD requirements, and duly executed legal instruments.
SECTION 8. AUTHORIZATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The appropriate County officials are authorized to take such actions within their existing lawful authority as may be reasonably necessary to communicate the County Board’s support for the transfers and the proposed governing structure and to coordinate with NCHA, LCHA, the City of North Chicago, HUD, and other appropriate governmental entities.
Any agreement or document requiring further County Board approval shall be submitted for approval in accordance with applicable County procedures.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption by the County Board of the County of Lake, Illinois. Adoption of this Resolution shall not, by itself, make the proposed Public Housing Program transfer or the proposed seven-member governing board effective.
SECTION 10. DISTRIBUTION
The County Clerk is authorized and directed to furnish certified copies of this Resolution to the Housing Authority of the City of North Chicago, the Housing Authority of the County of Lake, the City of North Chicago, HUD, and any other appropriate governmental entity.
ADOPTED by the County Board of the County of Lake, Illinois, on this 10th day of November, 2026.
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Chair, Lake County Board
ATTEST:
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Lake County Clerk