PADS misses deadline, can't get funds

Journeys from PADS to HOPE, based in Palatine, has missed out on money from Arlington Heights.

Every year, local agencies apply for a piece of the Arlington Heights community development block grant money. Last year PADS received $2,500. But this year it was shut out after its application came in on Jan. 26, two months late.

A letter from Arlington Heights Planning Director Charles Witherington-Perkins to Beth Nabors, the executive director of PADS, indicates PADS missed the deadline because of an internal staff transition. The agency requested a waiver and reps also met with Village President Arlene Mulder on Jan. 29 to plead their case.

But no luck. In the same letter, Perkins listed several reason for denying the waiver and said that making an exception would not be consistent with the village's desire to level the playing field among agencies seeking funds.

Block grants are federal funds intended for low- and moderate-income purposes, including providing decent housing conditions and expanding economic opportunities. In total, Arlington Heights passed out $447,700 in grant funds to agencies that met those guidelines.