Submitted By
Kira Tchang, Assistant Village Manager/Human Resources Director
Reviewed By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager / Interim Director of Development Customer Services
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) in Partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services with a Requested Funding Amount of $1,944,000
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Overview
Overview
Staff is requesting the Village Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for $1,944,000 in requested funding to provide for the distribution and management of aid for new arrivals via the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
The Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus has reopened the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) grant process. The Village previously received a total of $400,000 in SMASS grant funding which has been utilized to operate the Village’s temporary shelter program through the months of November and December 2023. The purpose of the reapplication for grant funds is to provide support for the transition of asylum seekers out of the Village’s current temporary shelter program which is scheduled to end on February 29, 2024. The grant would provide asylum seeker’s access to shelter and transitional housing, food, wrap around services, and legal assistance. Village staff would work with community partners to coordinate the services outlined below to ensure asylum seekers have access to available resources.
For the purpose of the grant application, an asylum seeker is defined as “an individual who crossed the Mexico/U.S. border on or after August 1, 2022, with the intent to stay permanently, and who does not possess any permanent or interim U.S. legal status (which does not include being in parole status), such as permanent residency, a student or work visa, etc.”
Shelter & Transitional Housing:
o Safe and stable temporary housing options for asylum seekers, including emergency shelter and transitional housing [Note-funds can be used towards shelter operating expenses and/or minor capital repairs necessary to make shelters operational]
o Short-term rental assistance
o Case management services to secure more permanent housing
Food:
o Healthy and nutritious food options. [Note-funds can be used for direct provision of food services and/or to obtain cold storage units (e.g., refrigerators) to increase availability of fresh produce and protein]
Wrap-around Services:
o Coordinated case management services and connections to support increased self-sufficiency, including addressing urgent client needs, non-legal immigration support and referrals, early childhood education and school enrollment, ESL and adult education, informational workshops, interpretations and translations services, transportation, and health and wellness services, etc.
o Assistance in screening for eligibility and applying for eligible public benefits
Legal Assistance:
o Provide legal training, workshops, services, and/or representation
o Services to help asylum seekers navigate the complex legal processes related to their asylum applications and other legal needs
Health & Wellness:
o Access to physical, behavioral, and/or mental health care, and crisis services to address the trauma and stress often experienced by asylum seekers
Village Staff will submit a grant proposal on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. The application request of $1,944,000 is to support the activities described above including the following program elements:
• $1,244,000 in funding for an area nonprofit to operate a temporary shelter for a four-month period. The temporary shelter will include shelter, food, wraparound services, transportation and other services such as security and language access.
• $360,000 in funding for legal services to be used for legal fees and attorney retainers which would be in effect for the entirety of an asylum seekers asylum application, temporary protected status application and/or employment authorization application process.
• $300,000 in funding for short-term rental assistance for asylum seekers.
• $40,000 for administrative expenses.
If the resolution is not adopted, staff will not apply for the grant. If the Board adopts the Resolution and the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus approves the application, the Village will need to enter into an agreement with Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus which may be executed by the Village Manager should the Village’s emergency declaration be extended through February 29, 2024. If the declaration is not extended, the agreement will be presented to the Board for consideration at a future Board meeting.
Fiscal Impact
Funding is restricted to services meeting the basic needs of asylum seekers. The grant does not have a financial match requirement. The grant term is January 16, 2024 - June 30, 2024. Also, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus can choose not to fund the grant application or it could choose to fund only a portion of the Village’s request.
DEI Impact
The grant would provide the necessary resources to better equip the Village and its partners in supporting asylum seekers. An asylum seeker is defined as “an individual who crossed the Mexico/U.S. border on or after August 1, 2022, with the intent to stay permanently, and who does not possess any permanent or interim U.S. legal status (which does not include being in parole status), such as legal permanent residency, a student or work visa, etc.” But more importantly, these are families often comprised of young children, that travel often by foot, through deadly conditions to reach the U.S./Mexico Border in search of safety and overall higher quality of life. This opportunity is directly aligned with the Village’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement and racial equity goals. Therefore, in order to ensure this value is put into practice, there is a need to secure financial resources to support the migrant/immigrant community.
Alternatives
The Board could not adopt the Resolution or request that staff provide additional information.
Previous Board Action
The Board adopted a Resolution approving the previous grant application with the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus on September 18, 2023.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A