Submitted By
Kira Tchang, Assistant Village Manager/HR Director
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Presentation on Emergency Overnight Shelter in Oak Park
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Overview
Overview
This presentation outlines the current and proposed model for emergency overnight shelter for unhoused residents in the Village of Oak Park. As the Village’s response evolves to meet the needs of our unhoused residents throughout the Oak Park community, staff are working in collaboration with Housing Forward, the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the Neighborhood Bridge to expand and enhance services.
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Anticipated Actions/Commitments
Recommendation
Pending feedback from the Village Board of Trustees, staff will return with a Resolution for funding to support the renovation of St. Catherine St. Lucy Rectory at 38 N. Austin, Oak Park, IL.
Report
For 30 years, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Housing Forward operated a PADS (Public Action to Delivery Shelter) Emergency Shelter for unhoused residents in the Village. In Oak Park, this model was a system of shelter for persons experiencing homelessness where multiple faith based organizations and community organizations provided overnight shelter on a rotating basis. During COVID-19, when shelter in place was required, the PADS Emergency Shelter was unable to remain in operation. At that time, all shelter in the Village transitioned to Interim Housing, which is the non-rotational shelter that operates at the Write Inn via Housing Forward.
Despite the success of the interim housing model, the need for emergency overnight shelter for unhoused residents still remained in the Village of Oak Park. On December 5, 2022, the Village Board of Trustees adopted a resolution approving a funding grant of $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to operate an emergency overnight shelter in the former rectory building of St. Cathering St Lucy (SCSL) located at 38 North Austin Boulevard. This emergency shelter has been in operation since 2023. At SCSL there are 20 available beds and the shelter operates from 7:00 pm to 6:30 am, providing dinner, breakfast, bagged lunch, and sleeping accommodations. The SCSL emergency overnight shelter also provides for the basic hygiene needs of its clients.
Staff have identified an increasing need for support of unhoused residents in the Oak Park community. There is an opportunity, through partnership with Housing Forward, the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Neighborhood Bridge, an area non-profit, to expand the number of unhoused residents in Oak Park who can be served, while also providing updates to the the zoning map and addressing identified life safety measures by bringing the SCSL emergency shelter into compliance with Village Code. These updates represent a long-term commitment to providing emergency shelter for unhoused residents in Oak Park.
The Archdiocese, Housing Forward, and Neighborhood Bridge are collaborating with Village staff to submit a special use text amendment to change the zoning for SCSL to allow for additional unhoused residents to access overnight shelter in this space.
In addition to an update to zoning, there are a number of improvements required in order to be in compliance with Village Code. Housing Forward has a commitment of $500,000 from the State of Illinois to support this project. Staff worked with Metro Stratgies, Housing Forward and Neighborhood Bridge to complete a Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Application in the amount of $637,166 to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economicy Opportunity (DCEO) to support the estimated costs to address code compliance related to the building. This application is due to the State of Illinois by July 31, 2024. These funds would be in addition to the commitment from the State of Illinois. If these funds are not awarded by the DCEO, staff recommend that the Village of Oak Park provides $200,000 to address code compliance concerns related to the building and the remaining balance by privately raised by the Archdioce and the Neighborhood Bridge.
DEI Impact
The recommendation aligns with the Village Board’s objective to provide support for unhoused residents by increasing shelter availability within the community. The increase in the number of emergency overnight shelter beds improves access to shelter for diverse populations including underrepresented and marginalized groups. Additionally, several of the code compliance items increase accessibility to shelter for individuals with physical disabilities.
Alternatives
The Board could request additional information.