Peoria council approves up to $80,000 reimbursement to Lula, $105,000 grant to Dream Center to expand shelter capacity

Peoria City Council on Tuesday approved emergency reimbursements and a shelter expansion grant to help people living in encampments find temporary shelter this winter.

The council voted unanimously to authorize reimbursable payments to Lula NFP for documented motel costs (not to exceed $80,000) through the end of February 2025, and to award Dream Center Peoria a $105,000 grant to expand its shelter capacity for up to three months.

The actions followed an extended discussion about how to balance immediate life‑safety needs during a cold spell with longer-term strategies for mental‑health treatment, detox and permanent supportive housing. Council members and staff said the payments are reimbursements — not direct contracts — and will require documented invoices reviewed by city finance staff before payment.

“Kayshi Bernard,” a Lula NFP representative who spoke at the meeting, told the council: “We’re deeply grateful and just to be clear, the amount of residents that we've had stay in our transitional pop up shelter is 61 as of right now. There is nobody left in camp as of right now.” That public comment was cited by several council members as evidence the motel approach had eased immediate risk for many…