Submitted By
Kira Tchang, Assistant Village Manager/HR Director
Reviewed By
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Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Funding Grant Agreement between Oak Park River Forest Community of Congregations and the Village of Oak Park to Fund a Short-Term Resettlement Program for Asylum Seekers Residing in the Village’s Temporary Shelter Program and Authorizing its Execution
End
Overview
Overview
The Village of Oak Park received $1,944,000 in grant funds from the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus to provide services to asylum seekers in the community. Of those funds, $300,000 have been designated to provide short-term rental assistance to asylum seekers. The Community of Congregations serves as the fiscal agent of a volunteer-run mutual aid effort that supports the resettlement of asylum seekers in Oak Park’s temporary shelter program. The Village’s temporary program is scheduled to end on February 29, 2024 and as of February 9, 2024 there are 132 asylum seekers still in the program.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The $300,000 in funding is provided through the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) Grant through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
Background
On January 23, 2024, the Village Board adopted a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) with a requested funding amount of $1,944,000. The grant proposal included four elements: 1) $1,244,000 in funding for an area nonprofit to operate a temporary shelter for a four-month period, 2) $360,000 in funding for legal services for asylum seekers, 3) $300,000 in funding for short-term rental assistance for asylum seekers, and 4) $40,000 for administrative expenses.
On February 2, 2024, the Village was notified that the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus had approved the total funding request of $1,944,000.
Staff recommend the $300,000 designated for short-term rental assistance for asylum seekers be granted to the Oak Park River Forest Community of Congregations, an interfaith organization serving the western corridor of the Chicago region and a registered 501(c)3. The Community of Congregations serves as the fiscal agent of a volunteer-run mutual aid effort known as the Oak Park Community Migrant Resettlement Mission, or “Oak Park Resettlement Task Force.” The Resettlement Task Force which includes community volunteers in addition to Housing Forward, the West Cook YMCA and the Community of Congregations serves to raise money and connect asylum seekers with housing options in the Chicagoland Area and beyond. To date, the Resettlement Task Force has connected 11 families (50 individuals) with housing through the faith-based community, or direct rental assistance.
Staff have been meeting with the Community of Congregations since December 5, 2023 to discuss how the Village and the faith community are serving the asylum seekers in the community. It is through the Village’s relationship with the Community of Congregations that staff met with the community members who make up the Resettlement Task Force. Staff have been meeting regularly with the Resettlement Task Force since January 2, 2024 to discuss how each is serving the asylum seekers in the community.
In its role as the fiscal agent for the Task Force, the Community of Congregations would be the sole direct recipient of eligible grant funding. Community of Congregations would also be the sole issuer of any rental assistance and this would be provided directly to housing providers. While other Task Force members may facilitate the connection between asylum seekers and housing, asylum seekers sign their own leases and the Community of Congregations issues funding at that time to the housing provider.
All $300,000 in short-term rental assistance is restricted to use for rent between January 16, 2024 and June 30, 2024. Grant funds cannot be used to pre-pay for rent for any months after June 2024.
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 Board may request more information or seek an alternate provider for resettlement services.
Previous Board Action
On January 23, 2024, the Village Board adopted a resolution authorizing the submission of the SMASS grant application including the $300,000 in funding for short-term rental assistance.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A