Submitted By
Emily A. Egan, Development Services Director
Jonathan Burch, Neighborhood Services Director
Dr. Danielle Walker, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Reviewed By
Erin E. Baynes, Assistant to the Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (“Motor Vehicles and Traffic”), Article 3 (“Parking Meters, Parking Permits, and Municipal Attendant Parking Lots”), Section 15-3-18 (“Parking Rates; Parking Meters, Pay by Space Machines, Village Operated Parking Structures, Permit, Extended Pass, Valet and Daytime on Street Permit Parking”) and Article 4 (“Vehicle Licenses”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Update the Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program to Assist the Village’s Unhoused Residents
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Overview
Overview
In support of the Village Board’s goal of Community Affordability, the Parking & Mobility Services Division of the Development Services Department developed a Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program which went into effect on April 1, 2023. While initial eligibility for the program was limited to participants of the Oak Park Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, eligibility was expanded to include residents of seven (7) affordable housing locations throughout the community via the Board’s adoption of Ordinance 23-118 on December 4, 2023. The proposed Ordinance would further expand program eligibility to include unhoused individuals who receive services at the Wright Inn interim housing site and other emergency shelter locations in the Village. The Ordinance also provides overnight parking accommodations for employees of Housing Forward.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Background
Overnight parking between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited on all streets in Oak Park, except with the applicable permit or pass. While unhoused individuals are eligible to obtain overnight parking passes, the number of passes is limited by the Village Code as the pass is intended for temporary short-term parking. Between November 1 and March 31, vehicles are eligible for up to ten (10) passes per month. Between April 1 and October 31, vehicles are eligible for up to fifteen (15) passes per month. The first three (3) passes are free and subsequent passes are $7 each. This $7 charge could be cost-prohibitive for unhoused vehicle owners, resulting in the accumulation of parking citation fines and the potential for vehicle immobilization.
Individuals receiving services from Housing Forward at the Wright Inn (211 N. Oak Park Avenue) are currently eligible for the Village’s Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program. If adopted by the Village Board, the Ordinance would expand program eligibility for unhoused individuals who receive services in Oak Park from Housing Forward or other emergency shelter sites. The Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program allows eligible participants to purchase and/or renew their quarterly parking permit for a flat fee of $50. Depending on the parking permit type, this equates to individual savings of between 57% and 83%. The proposed Ordinance would create a zero-cost parking permit that can be obtained by unhoused individuals who receive services at the Wright Inn interim housing site or other emergency shelter locations in the Village. The proposed Ordinance also allows Housing Forward staff to obtain zero-cost overnight parking permits. Vehicles issued these zero-cost parking permits shall also be exempt from the Village’s Vehicle License requirement.
Fiscal Impact
Thus far, the Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program has resulted in negligible losses of revenue. Staff does not anticipate major fiscal impacts if the proposed Ordinance is adopted.
DEI Impact
The Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program provides direct financial relief to low-income residents of the Village of Oak Park. In addition to reduced permit fees, the program encourages low-income residents to comply with the Village’s parking restrictions, reducing the probability that an individual will receive a parking citation for non-compliance.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as the Section 8 Program, is a federally-funded rental assistance program that provides help to low-income individuals and families to rent privately owned properties in the Village. Income-eligible individuals or families are selected from the Oak Park Housing Authority’s waiting list and issued financial assistance to search for and find suitable housing units in the Village. Low-income eligibility is defined as a gross family income below 80 percent of the area median income.
The Oak Park Housing Authority owns and operates rental housing specifically designed to serve disadvantaged populations in the community. 435 S. Humphrey Avenue is a three-story complex designed to meet the housing needs of the severely mobility-impaired. 1025 Pleasant Place is a 19-story complex designed to meet the housing needs of low-income seniors. 114 S. Humphrey Avenue is a six-story complex designed to meet the housing needs of low-income seniors. Residents of other affordable housing locations, including Heritage House (201 Lake Street), The 801 (801 Oak Park Avenue), and The Grove Apartments (442 S. Grove Avenue), will also be eligible to participate in this assistance program if the proposed Ordinance is adopted.
The proposed Ordinance will prevent the imposition of additional financial burdens on the unhoused. The recommendation aligns with the Village Board’s objective to provide support for unhoused individuals while examining financial and programmatic support provided to Housing Forward, one of the Village’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subrecipients.
Alternatives
Alternative 1: Not Adopt the Ordinance and maintain current program eligibility standards
Advantages:
• Housing Forward clients who receive services at the Wright Inn (211 N. Oak Park Avenue) will continue to be eligible for the Village’s Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program at a cost of $50 per permit.
• Housing Forward clients who receive services at other emergency shelter locations and receive a parking citation are still able to submit an appeal through the Village’s Office of Adjudication. An administrative law judge can consider the respondent’s appeal and provide evidence. If the citation is upheld, the Village Manager or their designee could submit a motion to vacate the judge’s order and submit a motion to non-suit the citation to the Village’s Office of Adjudication.
Disadvantages:
• Housing Forward clients who receive services at other emergency shelter locations in Oak Park will not be included in the Reduced Parking Permit Fee Program. Affected individuals will need to comply with the current Village Code or utilize their time and effort to contest parking citations.
Previous Board Action
On December 4, 2023, the Village Board adopted Ordinance 23-118, expanding eligibility criteria for the program to seven (7) other affordable locations in Oak Park, including the Wright Inn.
On November 20, 2023, the Village Board had a first reading of Ordinance 23-118, expanding eligibility criteria for the program to seven (7) other affordable locations in Oak Park, including the Wright Inn.
On March 20, 2023, the Village Board adopted Ordinance 23-22, establishing the program effective April 1, 2023.
On March 6, 2023, the Village Board had a first reading of an Ordinance establishing the program.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
Per Village Board direction, staff is investigating how to further expand program eligibility to families that participate in the Illinois State Board of Education’s free or reduced-price meal program. Staff will bring forth an Ordinance for Village Board review after this is more thoroughly researched and developed.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A