Draft FY 2021-2022 CDBG Annual Action Plan In Walnut Creek

Press release from the City of Walnut Creek:

April 1, 2021

Walnut Creek is an entitlement community under the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program’s primary objective is the development of viable communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities, principally for persons of low- and moderate-incomes. Walnut Creek is an entitlement community and receives a direct allocation of CDBG funds annually. The City participates in the Contra Costa Consortium, which is comprised of the entitlement communities of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, and the Urban County. In order to receive the funds the City must have an approved Five Year Consolidated Plan and an Annual Action Plan identifying the City’s priority needs and how those needs will be addressed.

In developing the proposed FY 2021-2022 Action Plan, the City's overriding goal has been to utilize funds for the benefit of lower income persons. Activities were funded which met one or more of the housing and community development high priority needs such as expanding economic opportunities principally for lower income persons; improving, increasing and preserving the supply of affordable housing; ensuring fair housing opportunities; and the continued support of services to seniors, persons with disabilities, abused and neglected children, battered women, persons with HIV/AIDS, homeless persons and other persons in crisis.

To meet these objectives, the City is proposing to utilize the 2021-2022 CDBG funds, estimated at $450,405. The City of Walnut Creek intends to supplement the CDBG 2021-2022 program with $100,000 of General Funds in the form of CSG specifically for public services activities and $77,000 of General Funds in the form of HSG to address homelessness. The PLHA fund, estimated at $138,449, also provides funding to assist persons who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. All activities benefit primarily lower income persons and are consistent with a primary objective of the CDBG program.

The draft Annual Action Plan is available at least 30 days for public comment online. The public may obtain information about or comment on this report by contacting the Affordable Housing and Grants Coordinator in the Community and Development Department, by calling (925) 943-5899 ext. 2652, or through e-mail at: vien@walnut-creek.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Walnut Creek. The views expressed here are the author’s own.