West Covina City Council members have scheduled a public hearing on how they should spend federal funds for housing preservation, economic development and public services.
On July 2, the council will receive public comments and discuss Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city annually receives HUD funds and is required to prepare an annual CDBG Action Plan that details how the funds will be used.
For the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2025, West Covina will receive nearly $808,000 from HUD, according to a city statement. The city will also add about $20,000 “in program income through home rehabilitation loan repayments” and nearly $212,000 “in unobligated grant funds from prior years are proposed” for a resource package totaling about $1.04 million.
The proposed spending plan calls for $545,000 for a housing preservation program, $200,000 for economic development, $164,500 for planning and administration and $130,171 for public services.
Officials said there is a shortfall for “Public Service Activities” For PY 2024, twelve (12) public service providers submitted applications requesting a total of $295,000, as shown below. City staff estimates $130,171 in funding resources will be available. This is a breakdown of the $295,000 in funding requests:
$80,000 – Upwards; $60,000 – Senior Meals Program; $25,000 – Assistance League of Covina Valley; $25,000 – Domestic Violence Victim Advocate; $25,000 – SGV YWCA’s Senior Citizens Assistance Program; $20,000 – Action Food Pantry; $20,000 – Project 29:11, a food bank; $10,000 – Housing Rights Center; $10,000 – ESGV Coalition for the Homeless; $10,000 -Shepherd’s Pantry; $5,000 – Emergency Assistance Program; $5,000 – Careship, a child care provider.
Copies of the latest drafts will be available online on the city’s website and for public review at West Covina City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Ave., in the City Clerk’s Office, Room 317, and the West Covina Police Department which is located at City Hall.
To submit written questions and written comments ahead of the July 2 council meeting, contact Kelly McDonald, assistant to the city manager, 1444 W. Garvey Ave., West Covina, CA 91790, or call 626-939-8494.
