Oak Park board approves $1.33 million support agreement for expanded emergency shelter at 112 S. Humphrey

The Village Board of Oak Park voted to approve a funding agreement with Housing Forward to support operations of an expanded emergency shelter at 112 South Humphrey Avenue through December 2025.

The agreement, which the board approved by roll call, covers approximately $1,331,000 in operating costs for the Accolade site as it shifts from the current Saint Catherine–St. Lucie location to the new address. "The agreement covers those operating costs through December 2025," said Jonathan Birch, Assistant Village Manager and Neighborhood Services Director, during the presentation to the board.

Why it matters: Housing Forward says the move will double nightly capacity from 20 beds to 40 beds and prioritize 20 of the new beds for people who have recently lost housing in Oak Park, have a personal connection to Oak Park within the past 24 months, work in Oak Park, or are found unsheltered within village boundaries. "The 20 beds that we have the increased capacity for that will be designated to Oak Park would be able to cover all of our unsheltered Oak Park individuals and households at this time," Armando Smith, Chief Program Officer for Housing Forward, told the board,…