By: Diane Benjamin
I only got involved because the director of Recycling Furniture for Families contacted me since funding was cut off without a good explanation. Everyone was blaming PATH for failure to file grant applications. This resulted in loss of funding for numerous organizations and jobs at PATH when funding for hotline employees was terminated.
The real problems are much more complicated. In this story is an email from the director of RF4F to City Manager Jeff Jurgens stating he was told by a City employee HUD required the City to transfer administration to PATH. https://blnnews.com/2024/08/14/foia-report-part-2/
The City had been the grant applicant for many years without problems, other than staff time. The email in that story confirms no problems existed when the City managed compliance. Problems started when PATH took over responsibility.
I sent a FOIA request to HUD on August 9th. I finally received some information yesterday. They claim they only located 1 document, obviously the first page shows more documents exist that I didn’t receive. Regardless, the one I have summarizes what really happened.
See the 10 pages below. The final determination letter from HUD is dated July 26, 2023. The problems at PATH started when the CEO died in April of 2023. Obviously problems started before July 2023.
That document doesn’t have to be downloaded – just click on the name to read it.
What it shows is page after page non-compliance issues with this Federal grant. I don’t know why Bloomington suddenly became non-compliant.
To summarize, the City of Bloomington failed to comply with all the HUD requirements. To fix the problems, administering the Continuum of Care grant was handed off to PATH. HUD did not require the City to transfer anything to PATH, the City fixed the problems by pushing it to PATH around the same time they fell apart when their CEO died.
I’ve done numerous stories on this issue. Links are included to stories WGLT has done. This HUD document explains what really happened.
Many people and grant recipients have been adversely affected because the City of Bloomington handed off responsibility. Of course no one could have anticipated the result. No one has admitted responsibility either.
Presently Recycling Furniture for Families needs money to fix their roof. There is no way to recover all the money they did not receive because of this mess. If you can help them, see their website: https://rf4f.org/
They have raised 43% of what they need so far.
PATH had a director prior to the gentleman who died unexpectedly. She was replaced by the Board do to performance issues.
Regarding the City handing off management of HUD CoC grant, it is not the municipal government’s role to manage and oversee social services. It is the role of the non-profits in the private sector.
True, they handled it for too long
The 11th Judicial Circuit (McLean, Ford, Logan, Livingston, and Woodford) had a grant for the Veterans Treatment Court that they suddenly decided they no longer needed as soon as the new deputy director (Suzanne) took over. From what I understand, multiple jobs were cut from members of the Veterans Court Team that were crucial support roles. The Mentor Coordinator, a case manager, and the director. Apparently no reason was given other than Suzanne just doesnt like dealing with grants and thought it would be a waste of time. She should probably be more concerned about the enormous turnover in probation officers. I know one who worked there and claimed he went 12 years without a raise before he finally left. (His words, not mine)