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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 an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 for renovations to expand the domestic violence shelter capacity of Mutual Ground.
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), including shelters for domestic violence victims, 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 CDBG-CV Urban Shelter Program.
BACKGROUND:
Mutual Ground has been providing critical services for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and substance use for nearly 50 years in the City of Aurora. The need for domestic and sexual violence direct services has increased post-COVID. Clients are arriving at Mutual Ground with extremely complex situations which require additional counseling, advocacy and shelter. The emergency shelter is presently housed in a historic mansion built in 1853 that requires extensive updates, repairs and reconfigurations to be able to provide access shelter to more victims of domestic and sexual violence along with space to accommodate additional staff. Upon completion of the proposed project at Mutual Ground, there will be an immediate benefit to those served, as capacity in the emergency shelter will increase to 45 beds providing 16,425 available nights of stay. Pre-COVID and during COVID (July 2019 - June 2020), Mutual Ground provided 9,468 nights of stay to 135 adults and 108 children. This past fiscal year (July 2023 - June 2024), Mutual Ground provided 8,604 nights of stay to 162 adults and 133 children.
DISCUSSION:
This project will benefit the City of Aurora by improving the capacity of Mutual Ground to provide temporary shelter and concurrent supportive services to Aurora area victims of domestic violence. The City will serve as the grantee and Mutual Ground 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 Emergency Shelter at Mutual Ground.
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 Emergency Shelter at Mutual Ground in an 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 an application to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus Grant, Urban Shelter Program, to fund the construction of a new shelter facility at Mutual Ground, 418 Oak Avenue, Aurora, IL, in an 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;
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.