Home Acquisition and Rehabilitation Program (HARP)

The initial plan began with the Board of Trustees creating a partnership with a local attorney, realtor and banker in 2001 to create an agreement to acquire rehab and sell vacant properties within the village to prevent blighted neighborhoods that would prove to be financially detrimental to all parties involved.

The Village of Round Lake Beach is experiencing a problem with abandoned properties. The Village of Round Lake Beach is a community comprised of approximately 7,349 homes, of which approximately 100 (or 1.5%) are vacant due to abandonment. The village continues a strong partnership with Norstates State Bank of Round Lake to acquire properties targeted for rehabilitation. The village continues a strong partnership with the local realtor to locate the abandoned properties and sale the rehabilitated properties. The village continues a strong partnership with the attorney to complete the purchasing documents and the closing procedures. The village has hired a general contractor to oversee the purchase of materials and labor associated with the rehabilitation.

This is a proactive approach through the development of partnerships to resolve relevant housing concerns. The Home Acquisition and Rehabilitation Program is a ground breaking planning process introduced in spring of 2002. The purpose of rehabbing abandoned properties is to eliminate lack of affordable housing and promote an overall upgrading of neighborhood conditions. This method of rehabbing properties independent of a non-profit agency is a more effective method of improving the housing stock and stabilizing the property values than the traditional methods. During the course of the last 5 years, nine vacant homes in the Village of Round Lake Beach that were in financial disparity have been acquired, rehabilitated and sold at fair market value.

The plan to acquire and rehabilitate abandoned homes developed out of the significant need to stimulate continued occupancy and growth in the older residential neighborhoods. The program is designed to benefit low-to moderate- income residents. The affordable housing stock in the village will provide a stable housing market within the community. The result is returning vacant property back to the tax rolls and creating new affordable housing opportunities.

The Village of Round Lake Beach received national attention from the Christian Science Monitor and several awards. The village is recognized for playing an innovative role in transforming and revitalizing its neighborhoods with this housing program.

Village of Round Lake Beach - Department of Economic Development
1937 N. Municipal Way - Round Lake Beach, IL 60073 - (847) 740-6026

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