For Immediate Release

Redwood City Allocates $1.1 Million in Federal Funds to Local Programs to Help Homeless, Needy, and Underserved

Redwood City, CA - May 1, 2012 - At its April 23 meeting, the City Council of Redwood City allocated over $1.1 million in federal grant funds to programs which help and support the underserved in our community. The funds come from the Community Development Block Grant program and the HOME Investment Partnership Program, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and are for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

Each year, Redwood City allocates and distributes federal grant funds to agencies and organizations for programs which meet the needs of the community’s low income and minority residents. Funds go to programs that integrate a range of activities including homeless assistance, human services, economic development for low income residents, and the preservation and development of affordable housing. Typically, the target groups to be assisted with these funds are households with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income for San Mateo County.

The City’s Housing and Human Concerns Committee (HHCC) reviewed the proposals and recommended 23 for funding. Among the agencies approved for funding are:

Through these agencies, funds are being used for a variety of direct assistance to community members, including: installation of home accessibility and safety modifications that help allow the disabled and elderly to remain in their own homes; shelter services for women, men, and children who are victims of domestic violence; transitional housing for homeless families including assistance in securing financial benefits, employment, and permanent housing; nutrition and wellness services to low income seniors; training programs to equip low‐income residents of Redwood City with the training, tools and resources they need to start their own small businesses; and many other life-changing - and sometimes life-saving - services.

The “2012-2013 Draft Annual Action Plan Executive Summary” includes the documents and information provided in the staff report to Council and is posted at www.redwoodcityhousing.org. Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City’s newsletters and other City documents at www.redwoodcity.org/egov.

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Contact:
Rhonda Coffman
City of Redwood City
650-780-7299