03/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/28/2024 08:31
March 28, 2024 - The Village of Oak Park is joining communities across the country in celebrating the 50thanniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as part of National Community Development Week from April 1-5.
In Program Year 2023, Oak Park received more than $1.5 million in federal CDBG funding, illustrating the significant impact of these funds on the local community. This federally funded, locally administered program is specifically targeted to support a diverse range of programs and services for individuals and families identified as low and moderate income by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Village and its Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee (CDCAC) are hosting a celebration marking 50 years of the CDBG Program at 6 p.m. on Thurs., April 4 at Village Hall, 123 Madison St. In addition to highlighting the impact of the CDBG Program in Oak Park, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis will be honored during the event along with the winners of the Village's CDBG Partnership Award.
The CDBG program was enacted by Congress in 1974 under the Housing and Community Development Act. This program, managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides essential funding to communities nationwide, including Oak Park, to address various community needs such as infrastructure, economic development, housing, and support services for vulnerable populations.
From hunger relief to infrastructure projects like ADA-compliant crosswalks, federal CDBG funds are strategically allocated to activities with a direct and positive influence in Oak Park. In Program Year 2023, funds were distributed to 14 local organizations serving low and moderate-income individuals.
Grants supported infrastructure projects such as street resurfacing and alley improvements, aligning with census-defined areas in need. CDBG funding was also instrumental in Oak Park's lead hazard reduction, water line replacement and rehabilitation loan programs, benefitting residents whose incomes meet HUD guidelines.
The allocation of funds follows a meticulous process managed by Village staff and the CDCAC. This includes a rigorous application process where nonprofit agencies request CDBG grants through the Village each year. The applications are thoroughly reviewed, and recommendations are made to the Village Board, which has the final authority on funding allocations.
For more information on Oak Park's CDBG Program, visit www.oak-park.us/cdbg, email [email protected]or call 708.358.5416.
Program Year 2023 Grant Recipients
About Oak Park
The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.