Care Center and recommended the committee members tour the unit before the residents return.
13.
COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATE - MARY KEATING
Mary Keating, Director of Community Services, followed up on a previous statement regarding
the need at the Family Center for counseling services for the families. They met with the Health
Department to establish a referral process to integrate services. Thus far the process is going
well, and the families appreciate the additional support services.
Ms. Keating talked about the remaining ERA2 funding, (Emergency Rent Assistance 2) stating
that in 2021-2022, the county received $50M in rent assistance funding. At the time DuPage
County entered into an agreement with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
because the state had already implemented a statewide program. IHDA spent $40-$41M of the
funds. Leftover funding was worked into a program that Community Services will oversee. They
launched the program but are not doing a public launch as about 40% of the Information &
Referral and 211 call lines are already seeking rent assistance. Community Services reached out
to their community partners; Outreach Community Services, People’s Resource Center, Loaves
and Fishes, Catholic Charities, and the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) with the funding
availability. The assistance covers rent arrears, a few months’ rent, and security deposits but not
moving expenses, with households averaging about $5600 each. Ms. Keating attributed the high
numbers of rent assistance requests to stagnant wages and increasing rents. 42% of all renters
spend more than 30% of their income on rent and 22% spend more than half of their income on
rent.
The funding needs to be spent before the end of 2025, which Ms. Keating feels will not be a
problem. This funding is separate from funding available for individuals in eviction court. IHDA
continues to run a separate program for individuals in eviction court.
The Adult Protective Services (APS) staff completed 99 intakes in November 2024. The
department is looking at the potential for additional staffing to handle the increased case load.
Ms. Keating expressed her appreciation to ShaTonya Herring and her extraordinary staff,
performing some of the most difficult work within Community Services.
The 211-accreditation application has been submitted, documenting the department is compliant
with the national requirements for 211. They are awaiting notification of approval from the state.
The Annual Homeless Point in Time Count, will be held nationally on January 29 - January 30,
commencing at 10:00 p.m. HUD mandates the local continuum of care does a one-night count
for both sheltered and unsheltered homeless. Lisa Snipes, the Continuum of Care (CoC)
Coordinator does an amazing job with the CoC committee putting this all together. If interested
in volunteering or just seeking more information, Lisa Snipes would be able to assist.
HUD recently released the point in time numbers from the 2023-24 count, noting a 30% national
increase in the homeless population.
14.
OLD BUSINESS
Committee member Galassi asked about the member initiative program, do we know the
timeframe of the program(s) and will they overlap?
