GET HELP FIXING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Source: County News Service
Photo: Funds paid for new playground equipment at Campo Community Center Park.
August 11, 2014(San Diego’s East County)--Want to help improve your neighborhood over the next five years? Meetings set for Sept. 23 and 25 in Ramona, Spring Valley, Fallbrook and National City are set for the public to learn about programs and grants available for community projects in San Diego County’s unincorporated areas.
Depending on need, federal money may be available for your community. Thanks to federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and public involvement, improvements have been made to local youth and senior centers, parks, streets, drainage systems, and fire facilities.
If you know where CDBG funds should be spent and live in the unincorporated area, the County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will tell you how local organizations can apply for funds during a number of public meetings. HCD will host meetings in Ramona and Fallbrook on Sept. 23 and Lincoln Acres and Spring Valley on Sept. 25. A special meeting in San Diego on September 24 is devoted to discussing future priority needs in the unincorporated area and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, and Solana Beach.
CDBG funds may be available to non-profits for use in lower-income communities in the unincorporated area. Non-profits that apply for funding must show a public benefit and align with the County Board of Supervisors’ strategic priorities. The deadline to submit proposals for CDBG funding is October 24.
Can’t attend a meeting? Fill out our community needs survey online.
The upcoming meetings will also provide general information about the following programs:
- HOME Investment Partnerships and CDBG Affordable Housing Programs: These funds are for affordable housing programs in the unincorporated area and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee and Vista.
- Emergency Solutions Grants: These funds are for improving the quality and number of facilities for the homeless and to prevent at-risk families or individuals from becoming homeless. HCD administers these funds for the unincorporated area and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway and Solana Beach.
- Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS: The funds are for affordable housing and services for low-income households living with HIV or AIDS. HCD administers the program for the entire San Diego County region.
Additional information and applications are available on HCD’s webpage at sdhcd.com or at the HCD office located at 3989 Ruffin Road in Kearny Mesa. The public can also contact April Torbett at (858) 694-4824 or by email at April.Torbett@sdcounty.ca.gov. People who are hearing impaired can call (866) 945-2207.
Anyone who needs assistance to participate in the meeting (Non-English speaking, hearing or visually impaired, etc.) should call HCD staff at least five days prior to the meeting for special arrangements.
San Diego County Consortium *
Schedule of Community Meetings
Annual Funding Plan, Fiscal Year 2015-2016
Applications open for Community Development Block Grant program funds for public improvements that benefit low-moderate income households
Applications are due Oct. 24, 2014
Fallbrook Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014 Fallbrook Community Center 341 Heald Lane (Eucalyptus Room) Fallbrook, California 10 a.m. Ramona Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014 Ramona Library 1275 Main St. Ramona, California 2 p.m. Lincoln Acres Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 Lincoln Acres Library 2725 Granger Ave. (Community Room) National City, CA 10 a.m. Spring Valley Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 Spring Valley Library 836 Kempton St. (Community Room) Spring Valley, California 3:30 p.m. |
Special Web Meeting: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30. Limited Audience. For details and login instructions, email your reservation to Kelly.Salmons@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (858) 694-4806.
Special 2015-19 Consolidated Plan Focus Meeting: 8 a.m., Wed., Sept. 24, Department of Housing and Community Development, 3989 Ruffin Rd., San Diego
*Public meetings in the CDBG participating cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway and Solana Beach and HOME Consortium cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee and Vista will be conducted by the respective city councils. Please contact these cities directly for their meeting schedules.