Title
title
A Discussion Regarding the Request from the Living Room for $150,000 a Year for Three (3) Years
..end
Introduction
overview
This is a discussion regarding the request from NAMI Metro Suburban and the Community Mental Health Board (CMHB) for $150,000 a year for three (3) years, totaling $450,000, to support a pilot for a “Living Room” in Oak Park.
end
body
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Finance Committee identify funding to support this request. To minimize financial impacts and maximize goal alignment, staff recommends that:
• The funding level be up to $150,000 a year for three years, with the amounts provided in years two and three reduced for any additional funding obtained by CMHB and NAMI.
• The agreement include performance measures such as demographic information on those using the Living Room; geographic distribution of users; and information on the number, type, and severity of visits.
• That CMHB and NAMI provide annual updates to the Village Board on the pilot.
Prior Board Action
At the October 21st, 2025 Village Board Meeting, a motion was made by Trustee Enyia and seconded by Trustee Leving Jacobson to grant $150,000 to the Living Room Project (MOT 25-255). This motion was discussed and sent to the Finance Committee for deliberation.
Background
The aforementioned motion has been sent to the Finance Committee to discuss and identify a funding source for the Living Room Project (LRP). The LRP is a nationally recognized model to support someone experiencing an increase in mental health symptoms. The LRP is for individuals over the age of 18 who require a crisis respite program, with services and supports designed to de-escalate a mental health crisis. This Living Room would likely be in the Southtown business district near the Oak Park Blue Line station. It would be open seven days a week from 12pm to 8pm.
The project sponsor, NAMI Metro Suburban, is seeking $150,000 per year for three years. This is part of a $355,000 per year projected budget. The full funding plan for the proposal can be seen in the table below.
|
|
Capital |
Annual operational support (per year for three years) |
Status |
|
Community Mental Health Board |
$85,000 |
$100,000 |
Committed |
|
Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation |
|
$25,000 |
Committed |
|
River Forest Township |
|
$10,000 |
Committed |
|
Oak Park Township |
|
$10,000 |
Committed |
|
Rush Oak Park Hospital |
|
$50,000 |
Requested |
|
Village of Forest Park |
|
$10,000 |
Requested |
|
Village of Oak Park |
|
$150,000 |
Requested |
|
Total |
$85,000 |
$355,000 |
|
Not all funding for operations has been committed yet. NAMI and CMHB are continuing to fundraise in support of the project, including years two and three. Conversations with CMHB indicate that the Village’s commitments in future years could be reduced if they are successful in finding additional funding to support the project.
The funding request is only for the 3-year pilot. CMHB indicated that their funding commitment is only for that period. NAMI Metro Suburban stated they will be seeking state funding after the three-year pilot period to continue operations.
While NAMI and CMHB have provided data on potential usage from analysis of 911 data, Rush Oak Park Emergency Room data, and a CMHB community survey, the true potential for usage from Oak Park vs. other communities remains unknown. Per the applicants, such information would be gathered during the pilot period to better support a state funding request.
Timing Considerations
There are no specific timing considerations associated with this item.
Budget Impact
Funding for this item must be drawn from a defined source, which has not been identified to date in the 2026 Budge, or it must be added to the Levy for the 2026 Budget. This item will require up to $150,000 per fiscal year, for a total of $450,000.
Staffing Impact
Staffing impacts associated with this item are uncertain. Depending on operations, the program could increase, decrease, or have no change for Police and Fire call levels. The Fire Department must transfer an individual in a mental health crisis to a hospital; they cannot take that person to the Living Room.
Oversight of the pilot contract with NAMI would live in Neighborhood Services. This would include oversight of the performance measures.
DEI Impact
The Living Room program would provide a resource in the community that all individuals could use when dealing with mental health issues, including populations for whom mental health services are less likely to be available.
Community Input
There has been no community input on the specific proposal by the Community Mental Health Board. The Alternative Call Response Taskforce recommended that the Village “continue working with community partners to develop places for individuals to receive care to assist in a crisis or prevent escalation to crisis (i.e. Living Room programs).” The 2022 Oak Park IPLAN calls includes opening a Living Room in Oak Park as a strategy.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Finance Committee identify funding to support this request. To minimize financial impacts and maximize goal alignment, staff recommends that:
• The funding level be up to $150,000 a year for three years, with the amounts provided in years two and three reduced for any additional funding obtained by CMHB and NAMI.
• The agreement includes performance measures such as demographic information on those using the Living Room; geographic distribution of users; and information on the number, type, and severity of visits.
• That CMHB and NAMI provide annual updates to the Village Board on the pilot.
Advantages:
• This action will meet the request of the Village Board.
• This structure allows the Board to monitor and evaluate the efficacy of the pilot in addressing mental health crises in Oak Park.
• The structure allows for the Village to reduce its commitment if NAMI and CMHB can identify additional funds in years two and three to support the pilot.
Disadvantages:
• This action can result in the reallocation of funding from other projects in the 2026 budget and beyond.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Finance Committee can elect not to recommend funding for the Living Room Project.
Advantages:
• This action ensures funding for other programs in 2026 will remain at the currently budgeted levels.
Disadvantages:
• This action goes against the desires of the Village Board.
Anticipated Future Actions
The Chief Financial Officer will include the amount of $150,000 in the 2026 Budget and include up to $150,000 in the 2027 and 2028 budgets.
Prepared By: Donna Gayden, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Reviewed By: Jack Malec, Assistant to the Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Presentation on Oak Park Living Room project
2. Living Room Program proposal