Housing and community services office reports $57 million leveraged and HUD grant successes

Maria Abdul (recorded on the transcript as "Maria Abdul Priem"), representing the Office of Housing and Community Services, reviewed program accomplishments and grant awards. "Through our strategic partnership with all of the municipalities, our nonprofit organizations, and our community stakeholders, we leveraged close this year to $57,000,000 in funding," she told the board, citing investments that support homelessness prevention, infrastructure projects and veteran services.

Abdul said Lake County received $1,900,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding this year, funded eight community projects and invested in infrastructure projects including the Butler Street boat ramp and the Lake Cares mobile van. She described HOME program awards of $673,150 designated for new construction projects by nonprofit partners and said the office secured emergency solutions grant funds ($167,034) for the first time this year.

commissioners asked clarifying questions about the driver improvement fund and program administration. Staff said the driver improvement monies come from ticket surcharges with annual awards to school districts and estimated the fund at "over $100,000" last year; commissioners requested staff return with exact figures and participation data. Abdul also noted about 80% of the department's budget is funded through federal or state grants and that HUD benchmarks and reporting improvements helped avoid federal fund recaptures.