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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 $7...
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