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Joliet staff report heavy demand for CDBG-funded residential snow-removal program; funding covers 330 households
Summary
City staff said the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) residential snow-removal program received over 350 applications in about 30 hours; available funding will cover services for 330 households and the program is being prepared for bid release.
Council staff told the council the city’s CDBG-funded residential snow-removal program drew strong demand and that the current funding allocation will cover 330 households.
A city staff member identified in the meeting only as Jackie explained the program timeline and application response: "We received a very overwhelming response to the applications, receiving well over 350 in a matter of 30 hours." Jackie said staff are reviewing applications for eligibility and confirming residency.
Staff confirmed the program is scheduled to go out to bid and that the administration activity has been approved by council and HUD; Jackie said the bid documents are expected to be prepared for release by the end of the week. Jackie told the council that the city currently has funding to serve 330 households and is honoring confirmed in-person appointments for residents without Internet access while staff complete eligibility checks.
Council members discussed ways to make future enrollment more equitable, including reintroducing a lottery system and seeking additional funding to expand the program. One council member estimated that adding roughly 20 more households would cost about $2,500 more (a per-household estimate staff described as dependent on the final bid). Jackie said the final per-household cost will depend on bid results.
The item appears on the council agenda as Council Memo 5 53 25, listed as a resolution authorizing CDBG funding for the 2025–2026 residential snow-removal program in an amount not to exceed $44,000. The resolution was discussed during the pre-council meeting; no formal vote on the resolution is recorded in this transcript.
Why it matters: the program provides an immediate, city-supported service to residents who have difficulty clearing snow and is funded with federal CDBG funds; demand exceeded current allocations during this enrollment period.
