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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR A VITAL COMMUNITIES PROGRAM INITIATIVE IMPLEMENTED BY THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?
WHEREAS, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, through its Department of Planning and Development, has a long-standing partnership with the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County (the "Alliance") to fund transitional housing facilities, wraparound services and homelessness prevention initiatives; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that preserving housing affordability and stability requires flexible strategies, the parties wish to establish a Problem-Solving Fund (PSF) to support direct assistance and staffing to provide creative, flexible and cost-effective solutions to quickly resolve a housing crisis; and
WHEREAS, the PSF will consist of the following components:
Homelessness Prevention resources for persons in danger of losing housing within weeks, including possible conflict mediation services, funds to pay rent or utilities, or a deposit for a new rental home; and
Shelter Diversion to help individuals and families seeking emergency shelter identify immediate alternative housing and connect them with social services and funding for transportation, vehicle repairs, etc. to the extent such assistance will help such persons to retain existing housing or obtain new housing; and
Rapid Resolution services to identify creative, flexible safe, and cost-effective solutions to quickly resolve a housing crisis via personal networks and safety net services. Such services may provide limited funds for security deposits, application fees, up to three (3) months' rent, and similar interventions; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago periodically releases Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars to itself and affected taxing bodies including Cook County, and did so for its FY26 budget as approved by the City Council on December 20, 2025; and
WHEREAS, in its own Fiscal Year 2026 budget passed on November 20, 2025, Coo...
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