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...
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