Submitted By
Kira Tchang, Assistant Village Manager/HR Director
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Funding Grant and Operating Agreement between the West Side Service Connector, d/b/a the Oak Park Family Transitional Shelter and the Village of Oak Park to Fund and Operate a Shelter Space for Asylum Seekers Residing in the Village 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, $1,244,000 has been designated to operate a temporary shelter for asylum seekers. The West Side Service Connector, d/b/a the Oak Park Family Transitional Shelter will serve as the subgrant recipient and operate the temporary shelter from February 26, 2024 through June 30, 2024.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Fiscal Impact
The $1,244,000 in funding is provided through the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services (SMASS) grant by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
Background
On January 23, 2024, the Village Board adopted Resolution 24-117 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: $1,244,000 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 recommends the $1,244,000 in funding designated for the operation of a temporary shelter be granted to the West Side Services Connector, d/b/a the Oak Park Family Transitional Shelter (OPFTS), a registered not-for-profit corporation with the State of Illinois. The OPFTS has been in contact with the Village since November 7, 2023 when it submitted a proposal to the Village to operate a temporary shelter at the St. Edmunds Parish School location at 200 S. Oak Park Avenue.
While the Village would hold the lease for the 200 S. Oak Park Avenue location, the OPFTS would manage the day-to-day operations of the shelter space. The $1,244,000 would fund personnel, food, supplies, security, translation, travel and telecommunications in relation to the shelter operations. A detailed summary of the four-month budget is included in the OPFTS’s Proposal attached to the agreement. The proposal also includes OPFTS’s operational plan, security plan and other relevant information and documentation, including the participant agreement form.
DEI Impact
Asylum seekers in the community are a vulnerable population. Short-term temporary shelter grants asylum seekers more time to coordinate resettlement opportunities, 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.
Previous Board Action
On January 23, 2024, the Village Board adopted Resolution 24-117 authorizing the submission of the SMASS grant application, including the $1,244,000 in funding for the temporary shelter.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A