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A Presentation and Discussion on the Unhoused Taskforce Recommendations
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Title
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A Presentation and Discussion on the Unhoused Taskforce Recommendations
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Introduction
overview
Staff will present the recommendations of the Unhoused Taskforce for discussion by the Board.
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Recommended Action
Provide feedback on the recommendations.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
* RES 25-251 A Resolution to Approve an Amended Agreement with Housing Forward for Emergency Shelter Operating Costs at 112 S. Humphrey Ave. Oak Park, IL
* RES 25-183 A Resolution to Amend the Housing Forward Funding Grant Agreement for the Flexible Rental Assistance Program to Extend the Term of the Agreement from March 20, 2025, to December 31, 2025
* RES 25-398 A Resolution to Approve an Agreement with Housing Forward for Emergency Shelter Operating Costs at 112 S. Humphrey Ave. Oak Park, IL
* ID 24-608 A Presentation and Discussion on Oak Park's Unhoused Population, Including Ongoing Work of the Village and Key Community Partners
Background
Following the Board's conversation about possible ways to address issues of homelessness and its impact on the wider community in winter 2024/2025, Village staff convened a small group of stakeholders representing diverse members of the community to collaborate on shared goals and actions for a holistic and compassionate approach to addressing the needs of both unhoused residents and the wider Oak Park community.
Over the past several months, taskforce members engaged in a series of strategic meetings characterized by open dialogue, innovative problem-solving, and collective accountability. Through this process, the group identified strategies and actions that draw on the unique strengths of its members.
The recommendations presented here are informed by data collection and a comprehensive needs assessment, ensuring that proposed solutions are evidence-based and responsive to the challenges of homelessness in Oak Park.
The recommended activities are broken into two buckets: immediate actions and medium action. Staff will walk through these recommendations and any applicable next steps. For immediate actions, staff anticipate moving forward with implementation of those items by existing staff shortly. For medium-term actions, staff will develop the concepts further before bringing them back to the Board, including proposals for funding these concepts.
Timing Considerations
Recommended activities are broken into those for immediate action and those for medium action (which require more development before full consideration by the Board). Based on feedback by the Board, staff will begin implementation of immediate actions with no budgetary impacts.
Budget Impact
Recommended activities are broken into those for immediate action and those for medium action (which require more development before full consideration by the Board). Based on feedback from the Board, staff will return formal proposals for consideration as part of the 2026 budget process for immediate action items if there are cost implications associated with them.
Staffing Impact
There is no staffing impact associated with this item. Any expansion of the work by ECHO is within the current capacity of the team and aligns with their expected work.
DEI Impact
The Unhoused Taskforce was intentionally designed to center equity and inclusion by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders representing different sectors of the community. This group collaborated to develop a shared vision, mission, and actionable goals that reflect a holistic and compassionate approach to addressing the needs of unhoused residents as well as the broader Oak Park community.
Homelessness disproportionately impacts marginalized populations. The taskforce's work directly seeks to reduce these disparities by identifying barriers to housing stability and services, and by designing strategies that remove systemic inequities.
Community Input
The Taskforce included individuals with lived experience of homelessness, Oak Park residents, representatives from local non-profits and taxing bodies, as well as members of the business community. This diverse representation ensures that the strategies reflect multiple perspectives and the unique needs of the community.
Staff Recommendation
There is no formal action associated with this item. Input received from the Village Board will be incorporated into future proposals from staff as it works to advance these recommendations.
Alternatives
There are no alternatives associated with this item. This is a presentation and discussion.
Anticipated Future Actions
Based on feedback by the Board, staff will begin implementation of immediate actions with no budgetary impacts. Based on feedback from the Board, staff will return formal proposals for consideration as part of the 2026 budget process for immediate action items if there are cost implications associated with them.
Prepared By: Vanessa Matheny, Community Services Administrator
Reviewed By: Jonathan Burch, Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Unhoused Taskforce Presentation