Submitted By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager/Interim Neighborhood Services Director
Reviewed By
Erin E. Baynes, Assistant to the Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Funds with a Requested Funding Amount of $2,000,000
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Overview
Overview
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has allocated a minimum of $15 million in CDBG-CV funds to the shelter construction component in urban “entitlement” areas. As an entitlement community, the Village of Oak Park may submit an application in partnership with Housing Forward to support the rehabilitation of the Write Inn for interim shelter costs.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
The objective of this program component is to fund the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of property for homeless (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)) shelters dedicated to the provision of stable, safe, and adequate housing.
DCEO has allocated a minimum of $15 million in CDBG-CV funds to the shelter construction component in urban “entitlement” areas. As an entitlement community, the Village of Oak Park may apply on behalf of Housing Forward to support the rehabilitation of the Write Inn for Interim Shelter costs.
• 03C Homeless Facilities (not operating costs) for construction, conversion, renovation or rehabilitation of shelters for the homeless, including shelters for domestic violence victims. This code should also be used for transitional housing and SROs (single room occupancy units) for the homeless that are funded by CDBG-CV.
Housing Forward’s purchase of the Write Inn was finalized in November 2023 with the support of $6.5 million from Cook County. Village staff recommends continued support of Housing Forward in the property renovation to bring the facility into full compliance with the Village Code and improve the transitional multi-family housing units for the unhoused.
Since September 2020, Housing Forward has operated a temporary fixed-site shelter located in a former residential hotel, the Write Inn, at 211 N. Oak Park Avenue. The Write Inn location serves clients in need of housing from across Housing Forward’s entire 25-community service territory throughout western Cook County. The property will offer Housing Forward’s clients:
• Private rooms with showers and personal storage designed to protect individuals against adverse health outcomes due to exposure to winter cold and/or summer heat.
o 45 rooms for adults, couples, and small families
o 19 rooms for medical respite care and stable housing supporting better health outcomes
o Climate-controlled rooms that minimize potential exposure and cross-infection, including isolation and quarantine space in the event of public health emergencies.
• On-site services:
o Case management services - All clients have a dedicated case manager who provides specialized services and a continuity of care across program areas from a client’s initial entry until placement in a permanent destinatio.
o Wrap-around services - Housing Forward’s interdisciplinary team strengthens the agency’s service integration model in the areas of health and behavioral health, employment and income support, and other critical needs of clients.
A portion of the building’s units will continue to operate as the RISE Center (Recuperation in a Supportive Environment) for persons experiencing health trauma and uncertain refuge, including isolation space. Housing Forward and medical partner Cook County Health have collaborated to provide short-term residential and post-acute medical care for patients experiencing homelessness who are not sick enough to be hospitalized, but who are too ill or too frail to recover from a physical illness while seeking nightly refuge in a rotating overnight shelter system or on the streets.
In the future, Housing Forward plans to renovate all residential areas, laundry areas, and common space, and convert the first-floor hotel lobby to office space and storage with the potential to add a space for congregate meals. Independent of unit layout and configuration, all residential units in the building will require substantial rehabilitation to meet required quality and accessibility parameters. Building systems will also require a material investment. Housing Forward also anticipates that the building will require substantial replumbing in conjunction with the demolition and rehabilitation of all bathrooms.
The total budget for the rehabilitation of the Write Inn is $9.4 million dollars. As of January 18, 2024, Housing Forward has secured $3 million from the State of Illinois with support from Senator Harmon and Representative Welch. An additional request of $1.5 million has been earmarked from Cook County HUD’s Economic Development Initiative to support the current gap. The requested $2 million would be sourced from the State of Illinois’ CDBG Funds and would not impact the Village of Oak Park’s CDBG funding.
Fiscal Impact
If awarded, the Village of Oak Park would serve as a passthrough to Housing Forward in support of the requested $2 million. 5% of the budget, or $100,000, can be used towards administration of the grant.
DEI Impact
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program requires that each funded activity, save for administration, meets one of three national objectives. The three national objectives are: 1) benefit to low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons; 2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; and 3) meet a need having a particular urgency. An activity that does not meet a national objective is not compliant with CDBG requirements.
The Oak Park CDBG program focuses on the first national objective, benefiting low- and moderate-income persons. This objective includes the following eligible activities: Area benefit activities (LMA), Limited Clientele Activities (LMC), Housing Activities (LMH), and Job Creation and Retention Activities (LMJ).
Alternatives
Not adopt the Resolution.
Previous Board Action
On February 6, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees approved $1,000,000 in funds to support the Write Inn renovations. Those funds were split $500,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support the $9.4Million in renovation costs.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A