Submitted By
Jonathan Burch, Assistant Village Manager/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 $637,166
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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. This is in support of the rehabilitation activities at Housing Forward’s emergency overnight shelter at the St. Catherine of Sienna - St. Lucy rectory building located at 38 N. Austin.
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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 St. Catherine of Sienna - St. Lucy rectory building 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.
For 30 years, Housing Forward has operated a PADS Emergency Shelter, a rotating system of shelter for persons experiencing homelessness. During COVID-19, shelter-in-place was required, preventing the PADS Emergency Shelter from operating. Housing Forward transitioned all shelter to interim housing at the Write Inn and Carleton Hotel. Although Housing Forward owns and operates interim housing through the Write Inn, there is still a need for emergency shelter. This is currently in operation at St. Catherine/Lucy rectory, with 20 beds for the hours of 7:00pm-6:30am, the provision of dinner, breakfast, lunch, and sleeping accommodations, and accommodation for clients’ basic hygiene needs. The original lease for this shelter was from January 2023 to April 30, 2023. The lease has been extended several times due to a growing unhoused population. Housing Forward is in conversation with the Archdiocese to have a 5-year lease. The 20-bed emergency overnight shelter is the only shelter within 4 miles or more of Oak Park. The nearest alternative shelters are Chicago Pacific Garden, 10 South Kedzie, Hope Houses, Suburbs Beds Plus (in Summit), and South Suburban Pads (in Chicago Heights), all of which range between 4-40 miles from Oak Park and operate at capacity.
Fiscal Impact
If awarded, the Village of Oak Park would serve as a passthrough to Housing Forward in support of the requested $637,166. 5%. $31,858.30 may 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
The Board can choose not to adopt the Resolution.
Previous Board Action
On February 6, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees approved $1,000,000 in funds to support renovations at the Write Inn. That amount was split between $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support an estimated $9.4 million in renovation costs.
On June 4, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees adopted a Resolution to submit a CDBG-CV grant with the State of Illinois in the amount of $2 million to support the Write Inn.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A