Kendall County Times

The Joliet City Council discussed the city's Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funding program and how those funds are being used during its recent regular meeting.

Councilwoman Jan Quillman called up Kristi McNichol, the city’s housing finance specialist, to talk about the CDBG program, saying there had been a lot of questions about the money and how it was being spent. McNichol summarized the program at the April 3 meeting and the success of its projects for fiscal year 2023, which runs until the end of June.

"Kristi has done a great job," City Manager James Capparelli said, "We’ve talked about trying to get more community members involved in how to be able to apply for these grants, because it is a little bit paperwork intensive. So she’s done a great job in outreaching some of the organizations who might not normally think about this as a potential funding stream for them, in addition, making sure the partners we currently have are going to comply with all the federal guidelines."

This year, the city has funded 13 different community-based CDBG programs, and in the coming year it will see an increase in available funding for the program, up to just above $89,000, McNichol said. The city held two meetings in March after the new funding was announced with its community partners, and with new or interested applicants. The city plans to hold more meetings in April, informing interested parties of federal regulations and the paperwork process of the grant funding, as well as working with its current partners to plan programs for the upcoming year that fit funding requirements. The closing date for CDBG funding is April 21, McNichol said.

The council is funding Agape Missions, an organization that focuses on transitioning formerly incarcerated residents to help house and employ the underserved population. The city also funded Grundy Medical facilities, supported a non-congregate shelter in the area to connect homeless population with housing options, backed the YMCA and its new STEM program, and helped with rental assistance and facility improvements for the Spanish community center in town. 

The city set a Diversity and Community Relations meeting for Tuesday, April 18, where the Housing Authority of Joliet will present. Prior to that meeting a discussion was planned with the Committee on Citizens with Disabilities about accessibility, McNichol said.