West Cook News

The Oak Park Village Board continues to make progress with delivery plans for the $980,107 payout through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that will aid those affected financially by the COVID-19 outbreak, according to OakPark.com.

"These funds are specifically allocated to assist individuals who are low- to moderate-income," Village Manager Cara Pavlicek told OakPark.com.

The board voted to approve $400,000 of the nearly $1 million coronavirus relief grant to the Housing Forward program. Officials say the funding will go toward rent, mortgages and assistance with utilities for the many citizens who have been or are in jeopardy of being displaced from their homes because of the pandemic's economic backlash. 

Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb | https://www.oak-park.us/

Customer Services Director Tammie Grossman has worked tirelessly to distribute the much-needed funds.

"Staff has been working very closely with Housing Forward as they developed this proposal," Grossman told the website. "We're excited to give Housing Forward this additional funding to help households in need. They're applying for FEMA assistance, emergency solution grant dollars from the state of Illinois, as well as some other homelessness prevention funds for the actual hotels."

According to Grossman, the discussion has been on the front burner for several weeks and village officials have teamed up with the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition. Grossman says that the $400,000 would be used to relocate people from hotels to apartments, pay three months' rent for some individuals and help citizens who are facing homelessness.

"Housing Forward has been a terrific asset to the village of Oak Park," Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb told OakPark.com. "They have been a great partner to work with during this pandemic. I thank each of you for supporting Housing Forward."