Oak Park celebrates National Community Development Week, April 21-25
Published on April 17, 2025
The Village of Oak Park is proud to join communities across the nation in celebrating the 51st anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program during National Community Development Week, taking place from April 21-25, 2025.
This year marks the 51st year since Congress enacted the CDBG program in 1974. The Village of Oak Park is highlighting all of our community partnerships and infrastructure work through banners and signs throughout the community. If you see signage around Oak Park in the coming weeks, snap a photo of the QR code to learn more about the work that was completed in that area!
“National Community Development Week is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the vital role programs like the Community Development Block Grant play in strengthening Oak Park,” said Village Manager Kevin J. Jackson. “These resources allow us to invest directly in projects and services that improve the quality of life for our residents, support local organizations, and promote equitable, inclusive growth. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished together and look forward to continuing our commitment to building a vibrant Oak Park.”
In Program Year 2024 (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025), Oak Park received approximately $1.5 million in federal CDBG funding, underscoring the vital role these funds play in supporting the local community. This federally funded, locally administered program is designed to benefit individuals and families identified as low and moderate income by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In Oak Park, CDBG funds support a broad range of initiatives that enhance infrastructure, affordable housing, and services for vulnerable populations. This year, CDBG funding was awarded to 17 local organizations dedicated to serving low and moderate-income individuals. These organizations provide essential social services to address food insecurity, intellectual and developmental disabilities, foster care, mental health, substance use disorder, homelessness, parenting education, mentoring and youth dental programs.
Furthermore, the Village funds the Neighborhood Services Housing Programs and Code Compliance Divisions. Through these divisions, several programs help provide affordable housing, including single-family rehabilitation, small-rental rehabilitation, lead hazard reduction, water lead line replacement, energy efficiency and code enforcement programs.
The Department of Public Works also receives CDBG funds to support infrastructure improvements such as street resurfacing and alley replacement in LMI census tracts, as well as ADA sidewalk replacement throughout the community.
The allocation of CDBG funds follows a detailed process managed by Village staff and the Community Development Citizen Advisory Commission (CDCAC). Nonprofit organizations seeking CDBG grants apply through the Village each year. Applications undergo a thorough review process before the CDCAC presents funding recommendations to the Village Board, which holds the final authority on fund distribution.
Program Year 2024 Public Service Subrecipients:
- Beyond Hunger – Direct hunger relief, nutrition education and social service staff costs.
- Community Support Services – Case management and respite services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Easterseals – Education and training material to support new parents.
- Hephzibah Children’s Association – Behavioral health interventionist for foster children .
- Housing Forward – Interim housing shelter, employment readiness program, street outreach for individuals who are homeless and to prevent homelessness, and administrative supports.
- NAMI Metro-Suburban – Program coordinator support at the Drop-In Center to provide services to individuals experiencing mental illness.
- New Moms, Inc. – Family support program for new moms and their children.
- North West Housing Partnership – Handyman services to older adults in the Oak Park community.
- Our Future Reads – Rental costs for utility space for literacy program development and donations.
- Infant Welfare Society Children’s Clinic – Dental care staff to provide dental procedures to low-and moderate income to Oak Park children.
- Village of Oak Park Farmers’ Market - $25 matching for SNAP Benefits to purchase fresh produce.
- Way Back Inn – Counseling for family members of people in recovery at the Grateful House and public facility improvements to Grateful House.
- Y.E.M.B.A. – Mentoring empowerment and training service to minority youth in 6th to 8th grade and public facility improvements.
Program Year 2024 Public Facility Improvements Subrecipients:
- Oak Leyden
- PACTT Learning Center
- UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago
- Way Back Inn
- Y.E.M.B.A.
About Oak Park - The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
