On April 20, homelessness prevention will take center stage during a public workshop held by the city of Santa Maria, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St.
During the workshop, the City Block Grants Advisory Committee will provide information—in English and Spanish—about the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program and Community Development Block Grant–Recovery Program funds.
Santa Maria is eligible for approximately $522,000 under the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program, and more than $341,000 under the Community Development Block Grant–Recovery Program.
The workshop will allow residents to comment on the programs and begin the process of amending the city’s annual action plan for fiscal year 2008-09. The amendment will serve as an application for funding under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) community planning and development grant programs.
The city has also prepared a draft annual action plan for fiscal year 2009-10, updating Santa Maria’s Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2005 through 2009—a requirement for local governments that apply directly for federal funds under HUD’s housing and community development programs.
The Consolidated Plan describes an area’s overall housing and community development needs, identifies available resources, and outlines a five-year strategy for meeting those needs.
The 30-day public review comment period for the draft annual action plan runs until April 30. Copies of the plan are available at the City Clerk’s Office, 110 E. Cook St.; the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St.; the Special Projects Division office, 110 E. Cook St., Room 2; and the city website: ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
For more information, contact the Santa Maria Special Projects Division at 925-0951, Ext. 118
News Briefs is compiled by Sun staffers from staff reporting and local and national media.
This article appears in Apr 16-23, 2009.