Community Development Block Grant program benefits Walla Walla’s least privileged, most vulnerable citizens – Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

A vital program youve likely never heard of has been working behind the scenes to greatly improve the quality of life in Walla Walla.

In May 2013, the city of Walla Walla earned its status as an entitlement city Community Development Block Grant program.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CDBG helps the least privileged and the most vulnerable in our community.

With CDBG funds, the city has:

While the allocation varies from year to year, the city of Walla Walla received $368,678 in 2016.

CDBG funds are administered by the Citys Support Services Department.

The citys CDBG program has a number of projects and priorities for 2017.

The Home Repair Program, funded by CDBG and run by the Blue Mountain Action Council, provides home loans with no interest, and common house repairs such as roof replacement, heating/cooling system installation and electrical and plumbing improvements, to citizens with low to moderate incomes. CDBG will put $55,750 toward that effort this year.

CDBG will provide a total of $140,000 in funding for the construction of a teen center being built by BMAC.

The center will include a six-bed homeless youth shelter for youths ages 13-17, to be operated by Catholic Charities; The Health Center for Lincoln High School students; and a Childrens Home Society child-care facility.

With $35,000 in CDBG funding, Public Works employees will install a flashing pedestrian crossing at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Poplar Street to help Blue Ridge Elementary School students get to class more safely.

$20,000 in alley lighting will be installed in the Washington Park, Blue Ridge and Edith and Carrie neighborhoods. Homeowners in those neighborhoods can apply for lighting by emailing me at jbeckmeyer@wallawallawa.gov, or contacting Commitment to Community.

Habitat for Humanity will build three new affordable homes for families in the Edith and Carrie neighborhood.

A $31,500 contribution will go toward purchasing the land for the homes. Applications are currently being accepted by Habitat for Humanity for two of the homes.

More information and applications are available at ubne.ws/2oMY96i.

In 2018, approximately $50,000 in CDBG funds will be available for small-business loans with the goal of creating new jobs for low- to moderate-income individuals.

I am now accepting applications for these funds.

The infusion of federal funding into these local CDBG projects wont make headlines, but it makes a big difference to an elderly homeowner who cant afford to fix a roof, or a disabled person who has difficulty navigating a curb in a wheelchair, or a child who has to cross one of the busiest streets on the way to school, or a neighborhood that has been routinely victimized by criminals under the cover of darkness.

To apply for funding, please email me.

Jennifer Beckmeyer is the city of Walla Walla Community Development Block Grant coordinator.

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Community Development Block Grant program benefits Walla Walla's least privileged, most vulnerable citizens - Walla Walla Union-Bulletin