The Village of Oak Park has been awarded $1.9 million from the Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services grant to assist asylum-seeker services.
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus notified the village Friday, Feb. 2 of the award, which must be used by June 30, according to a news release. The village board authorized staff to apply for the grant during its Jan. 23 meeting.
About $1.24 million of the award will be distributed to a local nonprofit to operate a temporary shelter at the St. Edmund School building, located at 200 S. Oak Park Ave., for migrants through the end of June 2024, according to the release. The West Cook YMCA and The Carleton Hotel of Oak Park will still be unavailable after Feb. 29.
About $360,000 of the award will go toward legal services for people looking to apply for asylum, temporary protected status or employment authorization, according to the release.
Another $300,000 will fund short-term rental assistance and $40,000 will be spent on administrative expenses.
