Meetings to help decide how funds should be spent

Tariq Malik

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- The city’s Community Participation Advisory Board

is seeking the input of residents on how to spend federal grant money

earmarked for low- and moderate-income programs.

Board members and other city officials will meet today -- the second

in a pair of meetings -- to hear resident views on how funding from the

Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs should be spent in

the upcoming year.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated

about $1.72 million in block grants to fund services and programs for

low- to moderate-income residents, a $70,000 increase from last year.

Similarly, the city has $758,000 in federal HOME funds for housing

purposes, compared to $685,000 last year.

A group of about 36 residents turned out to the board’s Jan. 4 meeting

at the Oak View Community Center, pleading for funding for community

workshops in sports, skills and child care for the neighborhood families.

Residents also requested funding for lighting and clean-up programs.

“My dream is that one day the gangs will disappear from this

community,” said 13-year Oak View resident Minerva Flores. “I’d like to

see additional security for this area.”

The public hearings mark the first time in recent years that the board

has met more than once to hear citizen requests for the grant money, and

has taken those meetings out to the community.

“For the last few years, the board has traditionally met in the City

Council chambers of City Hall, and we generally get input from active

community groups and programs,” said Luann Brunson, coordinator if the

city’s block grant program. “But we also wanted to get the residents who

use these services involved as well.”

There are 10 enhancement areas across Huntington Beach, communities

composed of primarily low- and moderate-income residents. Two hearings

were split between northern and southern sections of the city.

Jeff Lebow, the advisory board chairman, said citizen input is crucial

when deciding how to spend federal money.

“It’s very important for this board, and the city as a whole, to

understand what the needs are for its residents, and we hope to encourage

this type of participation in the future,” he said.

City officials said Tuesday is the due date for grant applications,

with board members reviewing potential applicants throughout February and

March. Final review and approval by City Council is expected in June. FYI

Tonight’s public hearing starts at 7 p.m. at the Boys & Girls of

Huntington Valley at 2309 Delaware St. Information: (714) 536-5582.