Arlington Hts. trustees weigh grant requests
People who run nonprofit groups like the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill need every cent they can get.
That's why Gertrude Rodig sat in front of the Arlington Heights village board for two hours Monday night on the off chance trustees would grant her request for $600 from the village's portion of federal block grants.
They didn't.
"National statistics show one out of every five families is dealing with a serious mental illness," Rodig told trustees. "Our membership is only 100 people. We're trying to reach out."
It was the least expensive request the board heard. Rodig wanted to use the $600 to fund another printing of the group's newsletters and fliers.
On Monday, the village board heard Rodig's and 17 other grant requests totaling $545,750. Problem is, the village has only $466,400 available for the upcoming fiscal year, which is May 1, 2008, to April 30, 2009.
Block grants are federal funds intended for low- and moderate-income purposes, including providing decent housing conditions and expanding economic opportunities.
Federal rules restrict how that money is spent, however.
A minimum of 70 percent, or $326,480, must be spent on projects that benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
Moreover, only $50,700 can be spent on public or social service programs -- the category that usually draws the most requests. The majority of the remaining funds is spent on brick-and-mortar projects.
Village board members won't vote on the requests until March. Federal rules require the village to leave the program on public display for 30 days to allow for comment.
One of the largest requests was $145,000 for the village's single-family home rehabilitation program. The single-family loan fund provides low- and moderate-income homeowners a zero percent loan. The loans are repaid when the home is sold.
The village also needs $150,000 to repay the loan on the senior center at 1801 W. Central Road. The village took out a 20-year loan to build the center, which opened in 1998.
A few new groups could get some funds. Village staff suggested giving CEDA $30,000 to repair structural damage at the Wright House. The Wright House is a transitional housing program for low- and moderate-income families located in the Cedar Glen neighborhood.
Trustees voiced support for giving Escorted Transportation Services $1,000. The new service drives seniors to and from doctor appointments. A $10 contribution per ride is suggested. Last month, 202 rides were provided.