$250K Grant To Help DuPage PADS Improve Interim Housing Center

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A $250,000 grant will help DuPage PADS continue to make its interim housing center feel more like home for people in or transitioning out of homelessness in Downers Grove. The funds were part of 70 Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) grants awarded to nonprofit organizations throughout Illinois that were announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week.

DuPage PADS was one of just two nonprofits in DuPage County to receive such a grant. The funds will be used to improve the facilities and outdoor setting at the interim housing center, which is located in the old Red Roof Inn building at 1113 Butterfield Rd.

April Rezdic, Chief Operating Officer at DuPage PADS told Patch the grant will help fund:

• The purchase of a generator for the property
• The creation of a children's play space
• The installation of security cameras.

Rezdic told Patch she's pleased with "what our state has been announcing in terms of funding to assist people who are homeless right now."

She added, "We see everyday how critical having a safe place to sleep is for people of all ages and especially for families."

Rezdic said she's especially excited about the playground space the grant will help them add, as there have been several families who have stayed at the Interim Housing Center since it officially opened in March 2022.

As of April 19, 2023, Rezdic said there were 192 adults and 99 children in the interim housing center.

Rezdic said many homeless residents struggle with transportation in DuPage County, but having a local play space can be beneficial, especially for those who can't access green space as easily.

We "[a]re really excited for what this means for the children who are staying with us," Rezdic told Patch.

Other improvements on the docket for the interim housing center include adding more laundry machines, Rezdic said.

She explained that the scope of each upcoming project will depend on the extend of funding DuPage PADS receives, some of which is contingent on federal grant money.

For Rezdic, though, after celebrating the one-year anniversary of the interim housing facility this March, the grants can only help improve the mission of DuPage PADS.

Since introducing interim housing, DuPage PADS has helped more than 658 people “to have more than 94,000 nights of shelter," Rezdic said.

DuPage PADS plans to partner with Designs for Dignity to work on their upcoming updates.

Rezdic said, they are "really grateful for what this will do for the people who will be staying with us."