Councilmembers went over plans on April 27 in federal funding will be spent in Ceres related to community improvement or helping the low income.

The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department issues Community Development Block grant (CDBG) and also Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to local governments. Stanislaus County is the lead entity locally with the responsibility for implementing and administering CDBG and ESG funding.

Another government funding source is that of the HUD HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Program.

“The goal is to address housing, infrastructure and community needs across the region,” explained Julian Aguirre, the city’s Economic Development manager.

The annual action plan is required by HUD to show how the funds will be used.

This year cities in Stanislaus County will receive $2.3 million in CDBG funds and $202,398 in the Emergency Solution Grant used to address homelessness. The allocation for the HOME program is $1.19 million. A total allocation for this year is $3,696,973.

Ceres’ share of CDBG funds is $260,115.18 which will be used for the third phase of the Morrow Village subdivision curb, gutter and sidewalk installation to make the neighborhood compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“This project is still ongoing,” said Aguirre.

Hughson plans to use its $113,331 in funding on sidewalk improvements along Seventh Street.

Regionally, the priority use for CDBG funding is the WeCare substance abuse counseling and treatment program, which is being allocated $172,000.

The Center for Human Services will receive $33,534 for a housing stability project.

The Children’s Crisis Center was allocated $35,000 to the Guardian House and $35,000 to the Marcia’s and Verta’s Shelter.

Another $35,000 is going to the court appointed special advocates for direct services, while another $35,000 is for the legal program for Haven, (Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments) women’s shelter.

ESG funds will go toward the costs of running shelter services operations, essential services, homeless prevention, and short-term rent and utility assistance for persons in immediate danger of homelessness. Specifically, the Center for Human Resources will get $60,546 to operate its Low Barrier Shelter, a youth transitional housing program on Orangeburg Avenue; $45,714 to HAVEN, $80,959 for Community Housing and Shelter Services’ Rapid Re-Housing program (rental assistance); and $15,179 for county administration costs.

The HOME Investment Partnership Program receives funds for:

• The rehabilitation of owner occupied housing;
• Assistance to homebuyers;
• Acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of rental housing;
• Tenant-based rental assistance.

The city of Ceres doesn’t have a proposed project to use the HOME funds but will continue to partner with the city of Turlock to administer fund applications from the very-low- and low-income category who are looking for assistance with the down payment to buy a first home.

Ceres will receive $115,194 of HOME funds and will be making it available for first time home buyer assistance.

“We don’t have the staff to do the first time homebuyers or rehab program,” Aguirre explained why Turlock is involved.

The county is turning to an agency to run the program to administer the $600,000 available for home rehab loans for the low income.

“There is some HOME allocation potentially to use for ADU units. So those individuals that are looking to develop ADU units, and they must be affordable units with a five-year deed restriction on it.”

Aguirre also noted that the three projects earmarked for HOME projects include $1.66 million for the Park Street cottages; the Valley Manor Project where 48 units are being rehabilitated; and the $1.3 million Abbie Street project in Empire, to buy the site with four units and develop an additional five units.

Aguirre said councilmembers can request projects within their districts to be considered by the county consortium.