Submitted By
Village President Vicki Scaman through Kira Tchang, Assistant Village Manager/HR Director
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Second Amendment to the Funding Grant Agreement with the Oak Park-River Forest Community of Congregations to Provide an Additional $100,000 in Village General Funds to the Community of Congregations to Provide Short-Term Rental Assistance for Asylum Seekers for a New Total of $450,000 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
Per the Village Board’s Protocols, President Scaman has added this agenda item for a Second Amendment to the Funding Grant Agreement with the Oak Park-River Forest Community of Congregations to provide an additional $100,000 to support short-term rental assistance for asylum seekers for a new total of $450,000.
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Anticipated Actions/Commitments
Recommendation
N/A
Report
Per the Village Board’s Protocols, President Scaman has added this agenda item for an Amendment to the Funding Grant Agreement with the Oak Park-River Forest Community of Congregations to provide an additional $100,000 in funding for rental assistance for asylum seekers for a new total of $450,000. This amount would be in addition to the $300,000 in grant funds for short-term rental assistance from the state-funded SMASS Grant Round II awarded by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus on February 2, 2024, and the $350,000 in general fund dollars that were authorized by to Board of Trustees on February 13, 2024 ($150,000) and March 11, 2024 ($200,000).
The Community of Congregations has organized certain members to search for short-term rentals due to the closing of the Village-managed shelters. These short-term rentals are the result of Village funding, grant funding the Village secured through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and private funds secured by the Oak Park-River Forest Community of Congregations. In order to obtain the leases for the individuals at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, an additional $100,000 dollars is required.
DEI Impact
Asylum seekers in the community are a vulnerable population. Short-term rental assistance grants asylum seekers more time to apply for temporary protected status, asylum and the employment authorization document which is a viable pathway to economic independence.
Alternatives
The Village Board can delay action to gain additional information.