Federal funds available for community improvements

County schedules

Sept. 20 meeting in Ramona to discuss how to apply

County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will host four meetings in the region to explain how to apply for federal community development money and inform people about the process.

The meeting in Ramona will be Thursday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m.

The funds, provided through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and administered by county HCD, are designed to benefit lower-income residents in unincorporated areas by funding projects such as senior centers, parks, drainage improvements, and health centers. Proposals must show they benefit the public and meet the County Board of Supervisors’ priorities.

The deadline to submit proposals is Oct. 19.

The upcoming meetings will also provide general information about the following programs:

•HOME Investment Partnerships and CDBG Affordable Housing. These are funds for affordable housing programs HCD administers for the unincorporated area and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Mesa, San Marcos, Santee, and Vista.

•Emergency Solutions Grants. These funds are for improving the quality and number of emergency shelters and transitional places for homeless persons and to prevent at-risk families or individuals from becoming homeless.

•Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS. The funds are for affordable housing and services for people in low-income households living with HIV or AIDS.

Additional information and applications are available on HCD’s website at www.sdhcd.com or at HCD headquarters at 3989 Ruffin Road in Kearny Mesa. The public may also contact April Torbett at 858-694-4824 or april.torbett@sdcounty.ca.gov. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can call 866-945-2207.

Anyone who needs assistance to participate in the meeting because they are non-English speaking, deaf or hard of hearing, visually impaired, etc., should call HCD at least five days before the meeting for special arrangements.

Meeting places and times are:

•Wednesday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m., Lincoln Acres Library Community Room, 2725 Granger Ave., National City.

•Wednesday, Sept. 19, 5 p.m., Spring Valley Library Community Room, 836 Kempton St., Spring Valley.

•Thursday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m., Fallbrook Community Center Eucalyptus Room, 341 Heald Lane, Fallbrook.

•Thursday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m., Ramona Senior/Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane, Ramona.

A limited-audience web meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. For details and login instructions, email reservation to kelly.salmons@sdcounty.ca.gov, or call 858-694-4806.

For information about meetings in the cities listed, contact the cities.