by Police Chief Kowalski
The Sauk Village Housing Commission has a mission to PROMOTE Sauk Village. The Housing Commission works on providing quality and affordable homes for those in need.
Sauk Village promotes owner occupied home ownership in the Village. Citizens are encouraged to purchase homes that are selling below market value, empty, abandoned, or being sold for back taxes to rehab and sell to homeowners.
They also assist residents in their efforts to achieve home ownership, and work with the community to strengthen our neighborhoods. Those who are interested to reside in the Village will find a friendly atmosphere were code enforcement/ordinance review will work with individuals to improve the appearance of existing properties. The Housing Commission will guide low and moderate income families with potential financial resources such as grants and low interest loans to improve property values.
First time homebuyers are encouraged to purchase homes within Sauk Village and we will provide information about support agencies (FHA, HUD, VA, etc.) which are avenues to assist with your purchase. Most importantly the Housing Commission, Code Enforcement Officers and the Police Department work together in providing a safe environment for all who live and visit the village.
In providing a safe village Sauk Village had enacted an Ordinance which became effective on January 8, 2013, incorporating Illinois Municipal Code 65 ILCS 5/11-60-2 which authorizes corporate authorities to define, prevent and abate nuisances. In other words the statute provides the Sauk Village Police Department the tools to work with the Housing Commission to enforce and address potential nuisance property owners.
The Housing Commission and Code Enforcement Officers have been working cooperatively with the Police Department in a team effort because when drug criminals and other destructive residents operate out of rental property, neighborhoods suffer and landlords pay a high price. Enforcement of the ordinance will be considered if a resident in a property does not have a legal right to be on the property or becomes a nuisance.
The purpose of the Sauk Village Crime Free Housing Housing Ordinance is to assist landlords in developing effective partnerships in a neighborhood environment, and fostering a safe, healthy place to live.
The program focuses on three key elements; eliminate crime at rental properties, reduce calls for police service and to foster a clean, healthier, more stable living environment in Sauk Village.