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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Julie Frankino, Grant Writer
Chris Ragona, Community Development Manager
DATE: June 11,2024
SUBJECT:
A resolution seeking City Council authorization to apply for the state of Illinois Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Urban Shelter Program grant in the amount not to exceed $2,000,000 for renovations to expand the family shelter capacity of Hesed House.
PURPOSE:
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has issued a notice of funding opportunity to fund construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of property for Homeless Shelters (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dedicated to the provision of stable, safe and adequate housing with a goal of increasing capacity to pre-COVID levels. Only units of local government in areas receiving direct entitlement CDBG funding from HUD are eligible to apply for the state of Illinois CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, more than 1,000 Aurorans need to get back into their own homes and become "unhomeless." Before the pandemic, a newly homeless person showed up at Hesed House’s door every 8 hours.
Hesed House is seeking funds to complete a renovation and expansion of its Family Shelter space. The Hesed House Family Shelter opened in 2018 and provides a variety of services, beyond 24/7/365 access to meals and shelter, to families staying in the Family Shelter. The Family Shelter currently has a legal capacity of 59 men, women, and children; unfortunately, family homelessness has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hesed House has been forced to utilize off-site hotels to supplement the Family Shelter in order to keep up with the rising demand of families experiencing homelessness.
In calendar year 2023, the Family Shelter averaged 93 men, women, and children per night, including 102 in Q4 of that year. Utilizing hotels costs Hesed House approximately $750,000 annually. This is not a sustainable model and the funding for said model is nearly exhausted. This shelter expansion project would fill a critical need for the City of Aurora by increasing the capacity of the Hesed House Family Shelter to over 100 men, women, and children. This will ensure that not only will families and children not be forced to try to survive on the streets and in the elements when experiencing homelessness, but also ensure they have access to safe, stable shelter and the myriad of life-changing services provided at Hesed House. This shelter expansion is a critical step in the fight to end homelessness in the greater Aurora area.
DISCUSSION:
This project will benefit the City of Aurora by improving the capacity of Hesed House to provide temporary housing and concurrent supportive services to homeless Aurora residents. The City will serve as a the grantee and Hesed House will be a subrecipient. The City will not incur any direct costs as a result of this grant application or the funded project, should the city receive a grant award.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution will allow the City of Aurora to submit a grant application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program to fund the reconstruction of the Family Shelter at Hesed House.
The City will administer any awarded grant funds through the Community Development Division in the same manner as it administers CDBG entitlement funds.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommend the City Council approve a resolution authorizing an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program to fund the reconstruction of the Family Shelter at Hesed House in the amount not to exceed $2,000,000
cc: Public Health, Safety, and Transportation (PHST) Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the City of Aurora to submit an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program to fund the reconstruction of the Family Shelter at Hesed House in the amount not to exceed $2,000,000
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora is applying to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block -- Coronavirus Grant, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary that an application be made and agreements entered into with the State of Illinois
WHEREAS, This project will benefit the City of Aurora by improving the capacity of Hesed House to provide temporary housing and concurrent supportive services to homeless Aurora residents; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
1) that the City of Aurora apply for a grant under the terms and conditions of the State of Illinois and shall enter into and agree to the understandings and assurances contained in said application.
2) that the Mayor and Treasurer on behalf of the City of Aurora execute such documents and all other documents necessary for the carrying out of said application.
3) that the Mayor and Treasurer are authorized to provide such additional information as may be required to accomplish the obtaining of such grant.