Submitted By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager/Interim Development Customer Services Director
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Program Year 2023 Substantial Amendment for Community Development Block Grant Returned Funds to be Provided to Housing Forward
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Overview
Overview
The Village of Oak Park is being asked by Housing Forward to allocate $500,000 in CDBG returned funds from PY2023 for a qualified public facility improvement project by Housing Forward to be completed within PY2023. The project will include roof replacement and tuck pointing at the Housing Forward owned property called the Write Inn at 211 N. Oak Park Avenue.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution to allocate $500,000 in PY2022 CDBG returned funds to complete public facility improvement projects for Housing Forward at the Write Inn located at 211 N. Oak Park Avenue.
Background
As an Entitlement Community, the Village of Oak Park receives an annual CDBG grant allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and uses the funds for a variety of qualified, locally-determined projects.
Housing Forward’s purchase of the Write Inn was finalized in November 2023 with support of $6.5M from Cook County. To support the renovation of the property and to bring the facility into full compliance with the Village of Oak Park Code, support is being recommended to help Housing Forward improve the transitional multi-family housing units supporting the unhoused. This public facility improvement is an allowable expense of CDBG funds.
Since September 2020, Housing Forward has been operating a temporary fixed site shelter, located in a former residential hotel, the Write Inn, at 211 N. Oak Park Avenue. The Write Inn location is serving clients in need of housing from across Housing Forward’s entire 25-community service territory throughout western Cook County. The property will offer Housing Forward’s clients:
• Private rooms with showers and personal storage designed to protect individuals against adverse health outcomes due to exposure to winter cold and/or summer heat.
o 45 rooms for adults, couples, and small families
o 19 rooms for medical respite care and stable housing supporting better health outcomes; and
o Climate-controlled rooms that minimize potential exposure and cross infection, including isolation and quarantine space in the event of public health emergencies.
• On-site services:
o Case Management services - All clients have a dedicated case manager, who provides clients with specialized services and a continuity of care across program areas from a client's initial entry until a permanent destination is found.
o Wrap-around services - Housing Forward’s interdisciplinary team strengthens the agency's service integration model in the areas of health and behavioral health, employment and income support, and other critical needs of clients.
A portion of the building’s units will continue to operate the RISE Center (Recuperation In a Supportive Environment) for persons experiencing health trauma and uncertain refuge, including isolation space. Housing Forward and medical partner Cook County Health have collaborated to provide short-term residential and post-acute medical care for patients experiencing homelessness who are not sick enough to be hospitalized, but who are too ill or too frail to recover from a physical illness while seeking nightly refuge in a rotating overnight shelter system or on the streets.
In the future, Housing Forward plans to renovate all residential areas, laundry areas, and common space, and to convert the first-floor hotel lobby to office space and storage, with the potential to add a location where congregate meals can be served. Independent of unit layout and configuration, all residential units in the building will require substantial rehabilitation to bring them up to required quality and accessibility parameters. Building systems will also require a material investment. Housing Forward anticipates that the building will require substantial replumbing, in conjunction with the demolition and rehabilitation of all the bathrooms.
The total budget for the rehabilitation of the Write Inn is $7.7 million dollars. As of January 18, 2024, Housing Forward has secured $3 Million from the State of Illinois with support from Senator Harmon and Representative Welch. An additional request of $1.5 Million has been earmarked from Cook County HUD’s Economic Development Initiative to support the current gap. On a separate agenda item on the Village Board’s February 6, 2024 meeting, the expenditure of $500,000 in Oak Park ARPA funds is being recommended to support the overall total of $1,000,000 requested from Housing Forward.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact to the Village’s General Fund.
DEI Impact
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each activity funded, except for administration, meet one of three national objectives. The three national objectives area: 1) benefit to low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons; 2) Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and 3) Meet a need having a particular urgency. An activity that does not meet a national objective is not compliant with CDBG requirements.
Oak Park CDBG program focuses on the first national objective which benefits low-and moderate-income persons. This objective includes the following eligible activities: Area benefit activities (LMA), Limited Clientele Activities (LMC), Housing Activities (LMH), and Job Creation and Retention Activities (LMJ).
Alternatives
N/A
Previous Board Action
The Village Board previously approved Housing Forward Public Service programs for PY2023 CDBG on September 18, 2023.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Community Development Citizens Advisory Commission (CDCAC) reviewed the request and recommends moving forward with funding.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
If the Board approves the Resolution for the Agreement and funding is made available through HUD, a substantial amendment for a 30-day public comment period begins. The Village will advertise the amendment and the public can review the item and provide comment. The public hearing will take place on March 1, 2024. After this is completed, the Request for Release of Funds and Substantial Amendment will be submitted to HUD. Public Comment period will end on March 11, 2024
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
As a member of the Cook County HOME Consortium, the Village will amend the 2023 Annual Action Plan in partnership with Cook County.