Title
Update regarding application to Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning/Regional Transit Authority (CMAP/RTA) Community Planning Program for technical assistance in developing a potential transit focus in Lake County’s five-year community development and housing plan.
Staff Summary
• On an annual basis, up to 15 percent of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) federal entitlement can be spent on public services such as transit, training, daycare and other employment supports.
• The lack of transit options in Lake County is a barrier to employment that potentially exacerbates poverty, a priority that needs to be addressed by CDBG. In collaboration with the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee, the Lake County Division of Transportation - in both its 2011 market study and 2018 paratransit strategic plan - has identified specific gaps in employment transit. Short-term recommendations include late-night employment transportation, vanpool first/last mile access to transit, and paratransit service expansion - all of which could be considered for CDBG Public Service dollars on a pilot basis only.
• Community Development has partnered with the Lake County Division of Transportation to apply for technical assistance from the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to assist in planning by the Housing & Community Development Commission (HCDC) as it considers which transit gaps could potentially be best addressed in the next five-year community development and housing plan.