Community Development & Shelter Grants

The Program Year (PY) 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) application process begins Jan. 31, 2019.  For PY 2019, which runs from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020, there will be an estimated $215,000 available in Village Public Service CDBG funds, approximately $40,000 in Public Facilities Improvements CDBG funds and approximately $125,000 in ESG funds.  Other PY 2019 grant funds will be set aside for Village-run activities.

The federal CDBG program is a source of funding that addresses local housing & community development needs. These funds are available to non-profit organizations and other agencies that serve primarily low and moderate income persons residing in Oak Park. Each proposed activity must meet one of the CDBG Program’s National Objectives and be eligible. ESG funds are available to non-profit organizations that serve persons who are experiencing, or are at-risk of, homelessness. Individuals not representing non-profit agencies cannot apply for either of these grants.

Applications for PY 2019 CDBG & ESG funds must be completed online and will be available Jan. 31, 2019 on the Village’s website at www.oak-park.us/PY2019Grants. The application process runs from Jan. 31, 2019 to March 1, 2019, with the option of an early, feedback-eligible “safer” due date of Feb. 22, 2019.

To instruct potential applicants on the grants and on the online application process, the Village will hold a mandatory CDBG-ESG Application Workshop from 10 am to noon, Thurs., Jan. 31, 2019 in Room 101 of Village Hall at 123 Madison Street in Oak Park. All potential applicants must attend and RSVP first. For more information and to reserve for the Workshop contact Elia Gallegos, Grants Coordinator, at 708.358.5419 or egallegos@oak-park.us.

Organizations, including for-profits and state or federally certified not-for-profit agencies, are eligible to apply for CDBG grants through the Village. ESG funding is available only to providers of services that are related to homelessness or homelessness assistance. Eligible CDBG activities include public services. Eligible ESG activities include emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, street outreach and homeless prevention activities. See the Notice to Prospective Village of Oak Park Federal Grants Applicants above for full details. Please email grants@oak-park.us for more information.

The Village's Community Development Citizens Advisory Commission reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the Village Board for funding. First-time applicants and existing grantees with new projects are encouraged to meet with Village staff to determine preliminary project eligibility and receive technical guidance. Applications become available each year in February and are due in March; see the Notice to Prospective Village of Oak Park Federal Grants Applicants above for full details. Please email grants@oak-park.us for more information.

• 2015 - 2019 Conolidated Plan

In addition to administering the federally funded Emergency Solutions Grant program in the community, the Village of Oak Park also is an active member of the Oak Park Homeless Coalition, an alliance of local businesses, government and service agencies working together to end homelessness in the community. The coalition works to educate residents, visitors and businesses about the issue of homelessness and the resources available for people in need of assistance. 

Originating with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and based on the federal Community Development Block Grant program, the Village’s Section 108 Loan Program is open and accepting applications from qualifying businesses. Prior to applying, prospective loan applicants should first meet with Village staff in order to better understand the loan program. Eligible Section 108 Loan activities include land acquisition, structure rehabilitation, operating capital, and the purchase and installation of equipment. Interest rates are favorable.

Each Section 108 activity must be Community Development Block Grant-eligible and must create and/or retain permanent full-time jobs, at least 51% of which must be held by or made available to low and moderate income persons. Also, one low and moderate income full-time equivalent job must be created or retained for every $35,000 invested for a Section 108 loan activity.

Businesses seeking a Section 108 loan are expected to have additional sources of funding for the proposed economic development activity, and each loan application will go through an intensive and thorough review process based on accepted underwriting standards and Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines.

See the Section 108 Loan Program Basics flyer and the most recent HUD Income Limits table indicating what constitutes low and moderate income persons. For more information, email grants@oak-park.us.