San Rafael, CA – Advocates who are passionate about representing the interests of racial/ethnic minorities and people with disabilities have an opportunity to join a Marin County group that prioritizes and makes recommendations on the spending of federal grant money.
Community gardens are an example of projects that might qualify for a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).Through September 24, the County of Marin is recruiting 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. The committee oversees the distribution of federal money through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).
Planning staff with the County’s Community Development Agency anticipate that it will receive roughly $2.2 million in funds for distribution to nonprofits and local governments. These funds are used to support affordable housing, public service projects, and capital improvements for community infrastructure such as parks, community centers, and health clinics.
There are three committee openings for two-year terms. One is an at-large seat that any Marin resident may apply for. The remaining two committee seats are for representatives from the following Marin areas:
- The unincorporated areas of Southern Marin such as Marin City, Tam Valley, and Homestead Valley;
- The towns and cities of Belvedere, Mill Valley, Sausalito, and Tiburon;
- Fairfax, Ross, San Anselmo, and adjacent unincorporated neighborhoods such as Sleepy Hollow.
The Countywide Priority Setting Committee was expanded in 2012 with the goal of bringing greater diversity to the group. In addition to advising the Board of Supervisors on the CDBG and HOME funding allocation process, the committee provides input on the County’s implementation of the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.
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.
Applications in English, Spanish and Vietnamese may be downloaded from the federal grants webpage. Interviews will be held October 17 at 7 p.m. Questions may be directed to 415-473-6279 or emailed to the County’s federal grants staff.