Submitted By
Jonathan Burch, Assistant Village Manager and Neighborhood Services Director
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Presentation and Discussion on Oak Park's Unhoused Population, Including Ongoing Work of the Village and Key Community Partners
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Overview
Overview
At the December 3rd meeting the Board will hear about zoning changes to make possible an expanded emergency shelter in Oak Park, as well as consider the 2025 budget, which includes funding to support that expansion. Staff will present information about homelessness in Oak Park, including the work of the Village and key partners to contextualize these items. Housing Forward will also present potential programs to further support unhoused residents.
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Anticipated Actions/Commitments
Recommendation
Staff requests that the Board provide direction on the work of the Village and partners to support the unhoused, including the Housing Forward proposals. Specific actions by the Board related to the zoning changes for the emergency shelter and funding to operationalize it will be covered through other items on the December 3 agenda.
Report
Since 2020, the Village has seen an increase in the number of unhoused residents, particularly in downtown Oak Park near the train station. In recent years the Village has partnered with Housing Forward and the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition to support the needs of these residents. This includes the following.
1. Renovation of the Write Inn to provide 50 to 60 units of high-quality interim housing.
2. Creation of a 20-bed emergency shelter at St. Catherin/St Lucy.
3. Funding to support two street outreach workers in Oak Park.
4. Funding homeless prevention via the Flexible Rental Assistance Program (FRAP).
5. Funding a crisis housing and rental support program for families and transitioned-aged youth.
With the number of unhoused residents increasing, the Village continues to work with Housing Forward and the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition on addition...
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