Federal Funding Available for Ramona Improvement Projects

Want to improve Ramona? Depending on the project, federal money may be available to you.

In the past, residents, non-profits and other businesses have helped senior centers and parks, made drainage improvements and hosted neighborhood trash clean-up events thanks to federal community development funds.

If you live in the unincorporated area, the County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will tell you how to apply for the funds at a public meeting at 2 p.m. on Sept. 17 in the Ramona library.

The money comes from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and is given out by HCD. The funds are designed to help lower income residents of the unincorporated area pay for improvement projects that benefit the public. Proposals must show the public benefit and meet the County Board of Supervisors’ strategic priorities. Federal officials are still determining final eligibility requirements. The deadline to submit proposals for CDBG funding is Oct. 18.

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

• HOME Investment Partnerships and CDBG Affordable Housing Programs: These funds are for affordable housing programs that HCD administers in 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 facilities for the homeless and to prevent at-risk families or individuals from becoming homeless. HCD administers these funds for the unincorporated area and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway and Solana Beach.
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS: The funds are for affordable housing and services for low-income households living with HIV or AIDS. HCD administers the program for the entire San Diego County region.

Additional information and applications are available on HCD’s webpage at www.sdhcd.com or at the HCD office located at 3989 Ruffin Road in Kearny Mesa. The public can also contact Luisa Tumini at 858-694-4810 or by email at Luisa.Tumini@sdcounty.ca.gov. People who are hearing impaired can call (866) 945-2207. 

Anyone who needs assistance to participate in the meeting (e.g., non-English speaking, hearing or visually impaired, etc.) should call HCD staff at least five days prior to the meeting for special arrangements.

—County News Center