COUNTY CELEBRATES NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK
Highlighting the Successes and Importance of Federal Grants, Especially During a Pandemic
Los Angeles County, April 11, 2022 – Annually, National Community Development Week is the County’s opportunity to commemorate the longstanding accomplishments of the Federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs.
This year marks the 36th year of this national effort to actively promote awareness, education, and advocacy for these much-needed Programs. The County is taking this opportunity to celebrate National Community Development Week and to commemorate the continued successes of the CDBG and HOME Programs, that significantly impact Los Angeles County residents, especially during crises, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
The County’s CDBG Program, which is administered by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), is the largest, among urban counties in the nation, serving over 1 million people in unincorporated areas and an additional 1.4 million living in 48 participating cities. The Program’s success is in its flexibility, allowing local governments to directly address community needs, targeting about 99% of allocated funds to benefit persons with limited and moderate means through activities which include housing rehabilitation; public services for groups, such as seniors, youth, and persons experiencing homelessness; economic development activities; and making public facilities, housing, and sidewalks accessible for persons with disabilities.
Additionally, March 2022 marks the two-year commemoration of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which provided $5 billion in additional CDBG funds, referred to as CDBG-CV funds, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The LACDA has utilized CDBG-CV to assist residents and businesses affected by the pandemic. Through the expenditure of $19,366,255 in CDBG-CV funds an estimated 8,654 seniors and 62,300 persons were served through senior services, food banks, and other public services focused on food distribution programs. An additional $9,389,174 in CDBG-CV funds assisted 2,620 businesses with grants and loans and supported the creation and retention of 615 jobs.
The Los Angeles County’s HOME Program promotes and facilitates affordable and special needs housing to County residents living in its unincorporated areas and the 46 participating cities. Since the HOME Program’s inception in 1992, the LACDA has overseen the administration of over $321 million in HOME funds into the County’s housing market. The HOME Program’s added benefit is its ability to leverage local funding. For example, over $965 million has been leveraged with HOME funds since 1992 to develop affordable rental housing.
Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director, said, “The pandemic continued to make this past year a difficult time for many, but thanks to programs like CDBG and HOME, Los Angeles County was able to offer relief to renters and property owners alike. We created programs to help businesses stay open and continued to fund new affordable housing developments to ensure County residents have a place to call home. CDBG and HOME help us live up to our mission statement to Build Better Lives and Better Neighborhoods.”
While these Programs’ accomplishments are far-reaching and severely needed, past national budget cuts have overshadowed their merits. The CDBG Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, is to receive $3.30 billion. The HOME Program will receive $1.5 billion in FY 2022.
In alignment with CDBG and HOME funding goals, April is also National Fair Housing Month, meant to recognize the passing of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, legislation to prevent housing discrimination. The celebration of Fair Housing Month highlights events and education designed to promote inclusive communities through fair housing opportunities.
More information on the CDBG, HOME, and CDBG-CV Programs is available at www.lacda.org or by calling (626) 586-1760.
