Grants are available to improve neighborhoods

Jose A. Alvarez

County of San Diego Communications Office

The county of San Diego will once again be providing funds to people wishing to improve their neighborhoods.

The monies come from the Community Development Block Grant, a flexible federal program that gives communities resources to address a wide variety of unique community development needs. Applications are being accepted through Oct. 27.

In past years, federal CDBG funds have been used to improve local youth and senior centers, parks, streets, drainage systems, accessibility issues and fire facilities.

Residents and nonprofit groups working in the unincorporated area of the county may propose projects that benefit low and moderate income residents as long as the projects align with the county’s consolidated plan and support the goals of increasing the availability of affordable, supportive and livable housing; improving the quality, safety and accessibility of communities and their walking paths or increasing and maintaining accessible, available and supportive homeless shelters and services.

To learn more about the CDBG program and how to apply, visit the county Housing and Community Development Services website, www.sandiegocounty.gov, for a narrated presentation.

For more information, contact Marco De La Toba at (858) 694-8724 or [email protected]. People with hearing impairment may call (866) 945-2207.