The San Benito County Board of Supervisors is set to receive a report on the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 at today's meeting that "provides $3.9 billion in supplemental community development block grants to local governments for the acquisition, demolition and rehabilitation of foreclosed and abandoned home," said Housing Programs Coordinator CJ Valenzuela.
Of the $3.9 billion, California will receive $529 million from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. San Benito County, a non-entitlement jurisdiction, has to apply for a community development block grant that will be awarded in the next 18 months. Being a non-entitlement jurisdiction means that the HUD does not automatically allocate funds to the area.
Currently, there is "no formula or criteria set" for the disbursement of funding to non-entitlement jurisdictions, said HCD Director of Communications Jennifer Sweeney.
Funding levels already have been decided for entitlement districts. The City of San Jose will receive $5,628,283, and the City of Fresno will receive $10,969,169, according to the California's Housing and Community Development Web site.
Valenzuela said that obtaining grant funds from the state will be competitive, but with San Benito being the seventh hardest-hit county statewide in the foreclosure crisis, funds should "increase our chances in obtaining these community development block grants." He said that the county will be working with the Hollister Redevelopment Agency to prepare a draft outline for the application process starting next week.
Other business on the board's agenda
- The board will also hear about a resolution to increase the rates for "mixed solid waste" at the John Smith Road Landfill from $52 to $57 per ton. This resolution is a solution on how to pay for the recent tonnage increase at the landfill.
- Supervisors also will discuss a review of the planning fee schedule, a continued discussion from the Sept. 23 meeting, the report on the Gavilan College DEIR and approval of a contract with CM Pros for construction management services for the Lone Tree Road Bridge replacement.
- At the 1:30 p.m. session, discussion will continue of the Growth Management Ordinance. There will be no final decision on this topic made at the meeting. The board will be looking for public input on the subject.
Colin McConville Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.
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