San Rafael, CA – State and federal funding is available to help the County of Marin address behavioral health services, critical housing needs, and other community issues. Through October, residents can help County staff prioritize those funds by taking an online survey.
This playground structure at Pickleweed Park in San Rafael was rehabilitated with federal grant funds.The planning staffs at the County’s
Community Development Agency (CDA) and the
Marin County Department of Health and Human Services anticipate that the County will receive roughly $2.2 million in funds for distribution to nonprofits and local governments. The funds are used to support affordable housing, public service projects, and capital improvements for infrastructure such as parks, community centers, and health clinics.
The survey is open through October 31 in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
“This is the time to help us better understand the concerns of residents,” said CDA Planner Molly Kron. “Just 10 minutes of time to provide feedback would be invaluable to us and potentially lead to positive changes in the areas that are of most concern.”
In September, the County recruited new members of its Countywide Priority Setting Committee, which advises the Marin County Board of Supervisors on grant spending for projects and programs that benefit some of Marin’s lowest-income residents. Recruitment remains open through October 11 for a member from the Upper Ross Valley. Residents of Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax and adjacent unincorporated neighborhoods may apply through CDA’s Federal Grants webpage.
The Countywide Priority Setting Committee oversees the distribution of federal money through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program grants (HOME). The Board of Supervisors holds a public hearing on all the committee’s recommendations each May and subsequently sends a priority list of projects to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Questions may be directed to 415-473-6279 or emailed to the County’s federal grants staff.