Fifteen area nonprofit organizations are the beneficiaries of a total of $435,315 in Community Development Block Grants awarded by the village of Arlington Heights.
The Arlington Heights Village Board approved earlier this summer to distribute the federal Housing and Urban Development money to local nonprofit organizations that provide social services in the village.
“There’s no question all of these agencies are really critical to addressing the needs of our residents,” said Mayor Tom Hayes.
The village’s CDBG pot is $52,275. Some agencies are set to receive more than $5,000 each, including: Resources for Community Living, which provides affordable housing options in the community; Journeys The Road Home, serving the area’s homeless; WINGS, emergency housing and services for victims of domestic violence; Suburban Primary Health Care Council, which provides subsidized medical services; and Children at Play, a day care program run by the Arlington Heights Park District.
Other agencies awarded smaller grants include: Connections to Care, a provider of transportation services for the elderly and disabled; the Children’s Advocacy Center; Life Span, which offers legal and counseling services to victims of domestic violence; Family Forward, a housing and mentoring support for low-income families; District 214 Education Foundation for English as a Second Language instruction; Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault; and Northwest Compass, provider of housing counseling and assistance.
Additionally, an estimated $250,000 in construction and economic development funds were granted – primarily for the single-family rehab loan program and public infrastructure, both administered by the village. Additional funds were allocated for renovations to group homes.
“There were three applications for renovations to group homes – from Glenkirk, Clearbrook and Shelter Inc.,” said Nora Boyer, village housing planner. “Rather than making allocations to those three agencies, the Village Board approved $68,240 under the group home renovation program and the Housing Commission will decide how to allocate the $68,240 among the three group home applicants.”
Boyer said she expects the Housing Commission will look at those applications and determine the allocation in September or October.
“Thank you for consideration and I’d like to reiterate how important these CDBG funds are for us doing special projects,” said Kim Berenberg, chief executive officer at Glenkirk, which requested $40,000 in funds. “The Medicaid funds we receive for the supports we provide do not cover capital projects.”
The Full Circle Communities’ request for $100,000 was not approved by the village because construction plans had not yet been reviewed by the village’s zoning commission, officials explained.
The program year runs Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. There is a $64,800 allocation for village administrative costs for administering the Community Development Block Grant program.
Hayes expressed gratitude to leaders of the agencies who were in attendance at the July 18 meeting when the distributions were approved.
“We know you’re going to keep up the great work and we very much appreciate your assistance in that regard,” the mayor said.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.
