community meetings regarding distribution of development and housing funds

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release:  Friday, August 29, 2008

 

Contact:  Elisa Vásquez, (323) 890-7415, Elisa.Vásquez@lacdc.org

 

 

THE COUNTY INVITES RESIDENTS TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS SEEKING INPUT ON DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING FUNDS

 

Expression of local housing and community development needs through the public participation program will feed into and help shape the annual “Action Plan” 

 

Five (5) meetings in the unincorporated areas are scheduled from

September 9 through September 25, 2008; public can also submit

written comments through October 25, 2008

 

 

The Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (CDC) invites residents to a series of five (5) community meetings (one (1) meeting in each Supervisorial District) seeking their input through a survey on the distribution of approximately $44 million in community development and housing funds targeted at low- and moderate-income areas and individuals.  Residents’ expression of local needs will feed into and help shape the County’s annual “Action Plan.”  Individuals who live or work in the unincorporated areas of the County are encouraged to attend.  

The 2009-2010 Action Plan describes proposed funding activities, which can include, for example, childcare programs, services for senior citizens, homebuyer assistance, home repair programs, homeless services, low-interest business loans, graffiti removal, and street and sewer repairs.

The approximate $44 million in funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which requires the Action Plan.  The funds are broken down into the following three (3) program categories:

·                     About $30 million is from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which funds a variety of services in low- and moderate-income communities.  Funding is contingent upon Congressional approval and as the CDBG Program has experienced funding reductions since 2002, future funding levels are uncertain at this time; 

·                     Over $12 million from the Home Investment Partnerships Program, which supplies funds for housing rehabilitation, first-time homebuyer programs, and construction in lower-income areas; and

·                     Over $1 million from the Emergency Shelter Grant Program, which provides temporary shelter to homeless individuals during cold and wet winter months.

The five (5) community meetings scheduled from September 9 through September 25, 2008 in the unincorporated areas, will solicit input from residents, community organizations, and local interest groups.  Through a survey, attendees will be asked to identify community development needs of their respective communities.  The survey results will help prioritize future CDBG funding.

The list of meetings and a diagram that presents the Action Plan planning cycle are shown on the following pages.  For additional information on the meetings, please contact Gloria V. Ramirez at (323) 890-7188.