The County of San Diego said for 2018/19, there is $3.2 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds available.
This Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is for San Diego's urban county, which includes unincorporated communities plus the cities of Solana Beach, Del Mar, Poway, Coronado, Lemon Grove and Imperial Beach.
The money can be used for a variety of projects.
“Things like ADA ramps, or improvements to a park’s facility, or playground equipment," said David Estrella who oversees the program for the county. "Anything that the community needs to improve the overall well-being.”
The Grossmont Spring Valley Family Health Center received around $180,000 from the CDBG program between 2015 and 2016. The center said the money allowed them to add a new exam room and nursing stations.
"The partnership between ourselves, the county, and agencies like this one help us to address the needs of our most vulnerable populations," said Estrella. "Particularly homeless individuals and individuals that are seeking resources, health resources, that are not available in other areas."
With the new nursing stations, the center is able to accommodate more than 1,000 additional patients a year.
Any person or nonprofit in the county can apply for projects. The deadline to submit is Oct. 27.
“Within this next week we’re hoping the community does submit their applications," said Estrella. "They can go to the county housing and community development website which is SDHCD.org and review the application and submit the application.”
Estrella said projects are ultimately chosen and funded by the County Board of Supervisors.
