Redmond seeks community block grant input
The City of Redmond has started the process of developing a plan to spend an annual entitlement grant from the Community Development Block Grant program to help fund housing, public services, public infrastructure and economic development needs for low- and moderate- income persons in Redmond.
On March 11, 2014, Mayor George Endicott appointed a Citizen Advisory Task Force to work with city staff on drafting a five-year plan on how to expend the estimated $178,000 annual grant.
To receive funds the City must create a five-year Consolidated Plan that assesses the needs of Redmond’s low- and moderate-income residents, sets priorities, determines resources and sets goals to address those needs, followed by an annual Action Plan that addresses programs and funding for that fiscal year.
The City expects to finish this planning process by mid-August so that they can receive the first annual allocation in FY 14/15.
The City is beginning the process to create its Consolidated Plan and its first Action Plan by contacting a variety of agencies and organizations to gather information on their services to the community’s low- and moderate-income residents and input on the needs they see.
The City is also seeking input from the general public through a Community Survey that is available at the Redmond Public Library, Redmond City Hall and online at www.ci.redmond.or.us.
“We started working on this grant program two years ago and were excited to learn last fall that we were accepted into the program,” explained Heather Richards, Community Development Director. “We are hoping that we can leverage these funds to make a positive lasting impact in our community.”
The CDBG program includes four main funding program areas: Affordable Housing and Homeless Prevention, Public Facilities and Community Development, Public Services, and Economic Development.
Examples of permitted projects in each category include (not all inclusive):
Affordable Housing and Homeless Prevention: Homeless supportive services, down payment assistance, utility assistance, weatherization and energy efficiency, housing rehabilitation for qualifying homes, housing rehabilitation for qualifying apartments, new affordable housing units for residents earning 50% or less of median income
Public Facilities and Community Development: Transitional housing, family and youth shelter, family justice center, removing barriers to accessibility, infrastructure improvements to sidewalks, streets, utilities, street trees, etc. in qualifying neighborhoods; park rehabilitation projects
Public Services: Victim assistance (domestic violence, abuse), health services for low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons, mental health services for LMI persons, job training for LMI persons
Economic Development: Small business assistance, job creation or retention for LMI persons
For more information, check out the City’s web site, www.ci.redmond.or.us, or contact Trish Pinkerton at trish.pinkerton@ci.redmond.or.us or 541-923-7761, or Community Development Director Heather Richards at heather.richards@ci.redmond.or.us or 541-923-7756.
