The Carlsbad City Council approved $527,154 in federal grants to help low and moderate income residents, with a focus on increasing and preserving affordable housing a reducing homelessness. These were the top two priority goals identified by the City Council on Jan. 14, 2020 as part the city’s five-year consolidated plan to address community development needs.
At its May 10 meeting, the City Council awarded the following grants to seven organizations for the upcoming year:
Casa de Amparo (facility improvements): $40,000
Interfaith Community Services (prevent and reduce homelessness): $25,000
Legal Aid Society of San Diego (fair housing services): $23,000
Community Resource Center (prevent and reduce homelessness): $20,000
Catholic Charities (prevent and reduce homelessness): $14,000
Brother Benno (prevent and reduce homelessness): $10,073
WRC (formerly known as the Women’s Resource Center, prevent and reduce homelessness): $10,000
In addition to the seven organizations, the City Council awarded $302,651 to the Carlsbad Affordable Housing Fund, which was established by the city to develop affordable housing for lower income households and/or purchase affordable housing units for lower income families.
The City Council approved $40,000 for Casa de Amparo to assist with facility improvements to its Casa Kids Campus, which provides trauma-informed care for youth. The City Council also awarded $25,000 to Interfaith Community Services and $20,000 to the Community Resource Center to provide continued social services such as rental and utility assistance.
The federal block grant program, called Community Development Block Grant, dates to the Nixon Administration and are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program distributes money to eligible cities and counties so they can improve life for lower income families. HUD regulates how funds are awarded and grant amounts are determined by a formula.
The City of Carlsbad applies the grants to projects and services that directly benefit lower income residents. Social service organizations apply for the grants, and a seven-member citizens advisory committee recommends the preferred candidates. Staff then recommends a list of recipients to the City Council, which makes a final decision.
