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Regular Village Board meetings are typically held at 7:00 p.m., the first three Tuesdays of each month in Council Chambers of Village Hall (room 201), 123 Madison St. When a Regular Meeting falls on a holiday, the meeting typically is held the following night. The Village Board also meets in special sessions from time to time. However, dates and times of Special Meetings can vary and may change.

File #: RES 23-280    Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
In control: President and Board of Trustees
On agenda: 9/18/2023 Final action: 9/18/2023
Title: A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) in Partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services with a Requested Funding Amount of $7,500,000
Attachments: 1. Grant Resolution, 2. SUPPORTING MUNICIPALITIES FOR ASYLUM SEEKER SERVICES (SMASS) GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
Submitted By
Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager / Interim Director of Development Customer Services

Reviewed By
LKS

Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) in Partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services with a Requested Funding Amount of $7,500,000

End
Overview
Overview
Staff is requesting the Village Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for $7,500,000 in requested funding to provide for the distribution and management of aid for new arrivals via the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS), in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services.
End

Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.

Background
This grant would provide funding to support asylum seeker's access to shelter & transitional housing, food, wrap around services, legal assistance, and health & wellness. The Village of Oak Park staff would work with established community partners to coordinate the services outlined below to ensure asylum seekers have access to available resources.

For the purpose of this grant application, an asylum seeker is defined as "an individual who crossed the Mexico/U.S. border on or after August 1, 2022, with the intent to stay permanently, and who does not possess any permanent or interim U.S. legal status (which does not include being in parole status), such as permanent residency, a student or work visa, etc."

Shelter & Transitional Housing:
o Safe and stable temporary housing options for asylum seekers, including emergency shelter and transitional housing [Note-funds can be used towards shelter operating expenses and/or minor capital repairs necessary to make shelters operational]
o Short-term rental assistance
o Case management services to secure more permanent housing
Food:
o He...

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