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City approves $1.578 million state grant for Hesed House family-shelter expansion
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Summary
Aurora's finance committee approved a resolution accepting a $1,578,000 DCEO grant and a participation agreement with Hesed House to renovate and expand its family shelter capacity from roughly 59 beds to about 120; Hesed House told the committee it will cover project overages (project ~ $1.7M).
The Aurora finance committee on Oct. 30 approved a resolution authorizing the city to accept a $1,578,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and to enter a participation agreement with Hesed House for renovations to expand the nonprofit’s family shelter capacity.
Chris Regona, director of community services, said the grant came through a competitive state program (CDBG/CARES-related) and that the city — typically ineligible for some CDBG funds — was allowed to participate. The project will rehabilitate Hesed House’s existing campus and expand family shelter beds from about 59 to approximately 120.
Joe Jackson, Hesed House’s executive director, said the organization currently averages 77 family members seeking shelter and has at times placed families in hotels when capacity was exceeded. Jackson told the committee the project will temporarily reduce on-site capacity during construction but that Hesed House is funding short-term off-site beds and expects total project costs to be about $1.7 million; the nonprofit will cover overages and maintain contingency funds for unknowns in the old incinerator building’s rehab.
Members asked practical questions: Alderman Dan Barreiro requested site renderings and confirmation of where work will be located; Joe Jackson said the project will rehab the nonprofit’s main campus and extend the family shelter. Alderman Carl Franco and others pressed on the short-term impact to capacity during construction; Jackson acknowledged short-term impacts but said families will continue to be housed off-site when needed.
Vote and implications: The committee approved the grant acceptance and participation agreement unanimously, 5-0. Mullin’s office and Hesed House said no local match is required and that the improvements include expanded classroom space, a computer lab, clothing closet and children’s play areas. The expansion is intended to reduce hotel placements and the higher costs associated with emergency housing.
