Submitted By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager/Interim Development Customer Services Director
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Motion to Approve American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding to be Provided to Housing Forward in the Amount of $500,000 for Renovations at the Write Inn Located at 211 N. Oak Park Avenue and Directing Staff to Prepare the Necessary Agreement for Village Board Approval
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Overview
Overview
In response to the Village Board of Trustee’s request for recommendations for unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, Village Staff recommends an authorization of $500,000 to Housing Forward to support the renovations of the Write Inn, 211 N. Oak Park Avenue.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Motion.
Background
In October 2022, Housing Forward requested $1,000,000 in ARPA funds to support the renovation of the Write Inn once they had purchased the property at 211 M. Oak Park Avenue. The purchase of the Write Inn by Housing Forward was finalized in November 2023 with support of $6.5M from Cook County. To support the renovation of the property and to bring the facility into full compliance with the Village of Oak Park codes, it’s recommended to approve funding to support said renovation. This request is an allowable expense of ARPA funds through Expenditure Category 2.16 Long-term Housing Security: Services for Unhoused Persons.
Since September 2020, Housing Forward has been operating a temporary fixed site shelter, located at the Write Inn, a former residential hotel. This shelter location is serving clients in need of housing from across Housing Forward’s entire 25-community service territory throughout western Cook County. The property will be fully renovated to provide 50-60 high quality interim housing units.
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; and
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 clients with specialized services and a continuity of care across program areas from a client's initial entry until a permanent destination is found.
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 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.
Housing Forward plans to renovate residential areas, laundry areas, and common space, and to convert the first-floor hotel lobby to office space and storage, with the potential to add a location where congregate meals can be served. Independent of unit layout and configuration, all residential units in the building will require substantial rehabilitation to bring them up to required quality and accessibility parameters. Building systems will also require a material investment. Housing Forward anticipates that the building will require substantial replumbing, in conjunction with the demolition and rehabilitation of all the bathrooms.
The total budget for the rehabilitation of the Write Inn is $7.7 Million. 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.
On a separate agenda item for February 6, 2024, it is being recommended that Village CDBG funds be approved to support the improvement project. The request is the utilization of $500,000 of unallocated CDBG PY2022 funds.
Fiscal Impact
Currently $684,257 remains in ARPA funds. This request includes the utilization of returned funds. The remaining ARPA balance would be $184,257 in unallocated funds.
DEI Impact
The renovation of the Write Inn would provide essential services, and increase the capacity to better serve the homeless population. The proposed interdisciplinary services will address needed gaps in the level of support those in this community face. Which is aligned with data proven best practices on how to address homelessness.
Alternatives
N/A
Previous Board Action
On December 5, 2022 the Village Board approved an Agreement for Housing Forward to use $300,000 in ARPA funds for an Emergency Shelter at St. Catherine/St. Lucy Parish in Oak Park.
On August 30, 2021 the Village Board approved an Agreement for Housing Forward to use
$500,000 in ARPA funds for rental assistance and staffing for the unhoused due to COVID-19.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Community Development Citizens Advisory Commission (CDCAC) reviewed the request for CDBG funds and also recommends this funding request.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
If approved, Village staff will return with a Resolution at a later date.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A