ABOUT US

CDBG Operations Corporation, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization established in 1993.

Our mission is to foster the development of affordable and decent housing opportunities and related community services which help to empower the residents; thereby promoting a healthy, safe and wholesome living environment.  The Corporation is a U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Certified Housing Counseling Agency.

The Corporation, with approval of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a contract with the City of East St. Louis, managed the Community Development Block Grant, HOME, and ESG entitlement funds for the City of East St. Louis (1996-2005).  The programs consisted of a $6-million+ annual budget, and projects which included housing construction, housing rehabilitation, infrastructure improvements, demolition, and public service activities.  In March, 2005, administration of these programs were successfully returned to the City. 

However, true to its’ mission, the Corporation continues its efforts in providing housing opportunities to the City of East St. Louis and surrounding communities.  The Corporation currently provides housing and supportive services to residents of the Family Living Center and Beacon Place Apartments. In partnership with the East St. Louis Housing Authority, the Corporation also administers the Shelter Plus Care Housing Assistance Program. We also partner with the North American Mission Board to provide housing rehabilitation.

The Family Living Center is located at 510 North 25th Street, East St. Louis (the old St. Teresa Catholic High School).  Rehabed at a cost of $1.4 million, the 14-unit transitional housing facility provides housing and supportive services to homeless families. 

CDBG Operations Corporation is the developer, owner, and grantee of the Family Living Center. Since its opening in April 2000, the Center has assisted­­­­­­­­­­­­­ 74 unduplicated families; of which 46 transitioned into permanent housing. The main objective of the program is to prepare homeless families during an 18-24 month period for re-entry into the community through a variety of learning opportunities. These families have been driven into homelessness by a range of factors, many related to the grinding poverty and poor economy that characterize much of East St. Louis. Among the causal factors bringing families to the Center are joblessness, lack of job skills, poor money management, lack of affordable decent housing as well as domestic violence, evictions, substance abuse addictions, and mental depression.

One of the major strengths of the project is the scope of services designed to meet the needs of each family based on an individualized needs assessment plan.

Upon entering the Family Living Center, the family must commit to developing and following the plan for their transition through the program and their eventual return to independent living.

CDBG is also the owner and administering agent of the Beacon Place Apartments, a $675,000+ new construction project, consist of two- (4) unit apartment buildings, located at 1845 St. Louis Avenue and 1240 Gaty Avenue, East St. Louis.  These 8 units of housing are considered permanent housing, and are available to homeless disabled individuals and families.  These newly constructed units were opened in October, 2005.  Residents receive supportive services to help them maintain their independence and housing.

Our agency has worked with the North American Mission Board through its’ World Changers program, to provide housing rehabilitation to low income neighborhoods for several years.  

As stated earlier, the Corporation is a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency.  We are approved for and currently provide mortgage default, rental delinquency, pre-purchase counseling, and counseling targeted at homeless persons.

Our agency’s efforts are continually directed at creating and providing affordable housing opportunities and supportive services to help persons remained housed. 

We are currently working on developing a 3.5 acre plot of land we own which is located between 25th-26th Street/ Ridge to Henrietta Streets, East St. Louis, IL.  We propose developing between 25-40 units, including at least 8 units for the special needs population.