Annual block grants in El Cajon will go to several groups – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Two programs that provide shelter for homeless individuals and several groups that look out for the needs of senior citizens will share a portion of the city of El Cajons community development block grants funding.

The El Cajon City Council last week made a preliminary decision on where the citys 2020 block grants will be spent, a plan which will be finalized at the end of April.

The actual funds, which come through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, are expected to be available on or after July 1, according to the city. El Cajon expects to get about $1.36 million from HUD for block grants.

The block grant system, as stated on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website, is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Only cities with more than 50,000 residents are eligible; groups receiving money must spend it on activities that benefit low- and moderate-income residents and/or low- and moderate-income areas, as well as meet certain other requirements.

The funding the city is expected to get in 2020 will include nearly $887,000 for public facilities or capital funding.

About $500,000 of that will help cover about 40 new street lights for eligible residential areas in El Cajon; $275,000 will go toward installing or retrofitting about 80 ADA compliant curb ramps and adjacent sidewalks; $25,000 will go for the replacement of hand and guardrails at the East County Transitional Living Center; $24,000 will go to improve facilities at the Home of Guiding Hands on South Lemon Avenue; and $21,000 will go to replace a gymnasium roof at the Boys & Girls Club of East County. An additional $47,000 will help fund the citys Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program, which helps low-income mobile home owners rehabilitate their homes.

The council also unanimously decided the city would dole out nearly $205,000 to five groups for public service programs and projects.

The bulk of the funding for public services, $100,000, will be earmarked for the East County Transitional Living Centers Emergency Shelter Program, which provides housing for homeless individuals. The program proposes to serve 280 persons with emergency shelter beds and shelter for up to 28 days, as well as provide food and case management. ECTLCs program has received operational support from the city since 2005.

The council said nearly $50,000 should go toward community policing as part of El Cajons Crime Free Multi-Housing program that works to increase safety in neighborhoods.

An additional $25,000 will go to Meals on Wheels, which has received support from the city since 1992. The groups More than a Meal program will provide meals to 126 low-income, home-bound seniors in El Cajon.

ElderHelp of San Diego has been chosen to receive $15,000 for its Care Coordination Program, to help provide case management, referrals and transportation for about 50 El Cajon seniors.

The Interfaith Shelter Network will be granted $10,000 for its Rotational Shelter Program that will provide emergency shelter for up to 40 homeless individuals at East County churches on a rotational basis during the winter months. Each church in the program will provide beds, food and shower facilities.

City Councilman Steve Goble asked the city to help fund a new group that had asked the city for financial help this year - Voices For Children, which works out of the East County Courthouse. A staff report said funds would primarily support costs such as salary expenses for the group. Voices For Children requested nearly $80,000 in block grant funds in anticipation of about 200 El Cajon children spending time in foster care this year.

But because Voices For Childrens scope focuses on supporting a small group within the city - children in the foster care system - city staff did not recommend it be funded. A staff report shared with the City Council noted that past practice has been to maximize the available funds for basic services that benefit all parts of the City.

When the City Council said it might be able to provide $5,000 for the group, Christina Piranio, the groups director of development operations, grants and stewardship, said it might not be worth the staff time it would take to meet the requirements related to accepting funds. She did note that it costs the group about $2,000 to provide 18 months of foster care for one child.

The City Council said it might consider funding the group at a later date.

More here:
Annual block grants in El Cajon will go to several groups - The San Diego Union-Tribune