The city of Aurora has received a $2 million state grant to launch a program offering heating and air conditioning unit upgrades to rental properties with low- to moderate-income residents.

This program, which is something Aurora hasn’t really done before, is being looked at as a way to preserve affordable housing, according to Aurora Director of Community Services Chris Ragona. He said that utility bills play a part in whether or not housing is affordable for someone, so having a more energy-efficient HVAC system will reduce a person’s utility bills and, ultimately, their total housing cost.

The idea wasn’t catered specifically to Aurora, Ragona said, as the state of Illinois offered this grant for this type of program.

“We will have some guidance as far as our eligibility criteria and

See Full Page