Historical woman-owned business modernizes and scales operations 

Bay View Printing Co., a historical letterpress shop nestled in the heart of Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood, serves as a welcoming space for community events, including letterpress workshops and popular Drink & Ink gatherings. 

The business achieved a significant milestone in 2023 by securing a $25,000 Community First® Accelerate Grant for Small Business through FHLBank Chicago member, First Federal Bank of Wisconsin. The Accelerate Grant was instrumental in fueling the shop’s growth and enhancing its role as a vibrant community space. The funding allowed owner, Ashley Town, to modernize the shop, update equipment, and work toward expanding Bay View Printing Co’s retail line.

Watch the full story below and read more about FHLBank Chicago's support for small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin.

 

 

Affordable Housing Program General Fund Closes June 14

FHLBank Chicago’s 2024 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) General Fund opened on May 6 and closes on Friday, June 14 at 5:00 p.m. CST. 

FHLBank Chicago has published recorded webinars on the 2024 AHP General Fund. These webinars are organized by topic, including: 1) Overview and Eligibility; 2) Feasibility; 3) Scoring; 4) Post-Award Compliance; 5) Key Changes for 2024; and 6) Guide Against Common Mistakes.

The Guide for Sponsor Applicants for Rental and Owner-Occupied Projects, the Guide for Member Applicants, and the application exhibits have been updated for 2024 and posted to our AHP Program Policy and Forms webpage. Potential applicants are encouraged to review these resources.

Please contact ahp@fhlbc.com with any application-related questions.

 

2024 HUD Income Limits

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released median income limits for 2024. Effective April 15, these limits are used to determine income eligibility for FHLBank Chicago’s AHP General Fund, Downpayment Plus^® (DPP), and Community Advances. Additional information and resources can be found on our HUD Income Guidelines webpage.

 

Upcoming Events

June 6 | Illinois Housing Council 2024 Summer Mixer

June 10-12 | OWEESTA 9th Annual Native CDFI Capital Access Convening

June 12-15 | African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs 2024 Annual Meeting & Conference

June 27 | LISC Chicago 30th Anniversary Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards

July 17 – 18 | Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development, Inc. A Home For Everyone