By law, 85 percent of CDBG funding must go to “bricks and mortar,” economic development or anti-blight projects with the balance awarded to social service programs.Some of the requests include Housing Code Enforcement for the rehabilitation/preservation housing programs, the electrical upgrade for Blanchard Community Library, the Women’s Economic Ventures self-employment and business counseling programs and the Santa Paula Micro Loan program for startup or expansion funds to create local jobs for low-income residents.The largest project request is for $300,000 for improvements at Las Piedras and Teague parks.Sixteen social service agencies are vying for CDBG grants including the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, an advocate and complaint investigation service for residents of area convalescent hospitals.Food Pantry, Santa Paula Brown Bag for Seniors, the BCL Homework Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley are also hoping that their funding applications will be granted.The Citizens Advisory Committee can tinker with the funding and decide to partially fund or not fund at all any request for CDBG monies.
Citizens Advisory Committee to discuss federal grants Wednesday
February 01, 2006
Santa Paula News
A special committee appointed by the City Council will meet this week to consider granting federal monies to a variety of area projects and programs that benefit local residents.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA special committee appointed by the City Council will meet this week to consider granting federal monies to a variety of area projects and programs that benefit local residents.The Community Development Block Grant Citizens Advisory Committee will meet to discuss applicants vying for the Dept. of Housing & Urban Development funds, almost the 21st year that the city has taken part in the program.Citizens Advisory Committee members include Yolie Cerda-Lee, Bill Glenn and Doug Green.The meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 1 at City Hall Council Chambers, 970 E. Ventura St.The committee will also make allocation recommendations to the City Council on how to spend the increasingly shrinking pot of grant funds that this year is $357,097.