By Rene De La Cruz
Staff Writer
The Town Council tonight will discuss the allocation of a Community Block Development Grant that will benefit several non-profits groups serving Apple Valley.
If the council approves the grant requests, eight non-profit groups will take a slice of the $86,250 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development pie designated public service projects during tonight’s meeting.
Some of the groups who have submitted grant applications include, the Apple Valley Police Activities League, the Victor Valley Community Services Council, High Desert Homeless Services and the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board.
Another $650,018 of the grant will be used for town administered projects, as such as the town’s Residential Rehabilitation Loan Program and improvements at James Woody Park and the Apple Valley Golf Course.
Groups that receive CBDG funds through the town must use those funds in the municipality where they were received.
It’s uncertain whether the sequestration process, which was designed to cut federal spending, may affect final grant totals.
The HUD mandates that all entitlement communities that receive CBDG funds prepare and submit a consolidated plan every five-years, which outlines a strategic vision for economic development, housing and community development actions.
Groups had until Jan. 4 to submit their applications, and several public hearings were scheduled since then to receive input from the public relative to community needs and to take testimony from the public service agencies seeking CBDG funding awards.
Today’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway. The meeting’s agenda and live streaming video will be available online at applevalley.org.