City invites proposals for social services projects

Learn more

What: Grant applicants workshop

When: 10 a.m. Friday

Where: Game Room, Veterans’ Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St.

Applications: Online at www.cityofdavis.org; click on the “CDBG/HOME RFP” at the bottom right corner of the home page

The city of Davis invites proposals for $800,000 in grant money to help local groups provide affordable housing and social services to low- and moderate-income Davis residents in the coming year. The grant funds represent Davis’ share of federal Community Development Block Grant and Housing Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs.

The funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Department and are awarded by the city to local nonprofit organizations that deliver critically needed services such as meals, shelter, transportation, elder care services and health care to low-income residents.

“These funds help us provide our local services a safety net,” says Danielle Foster, housing and human services superintendent in the city manager’s office. “They make all the difference in the world to local groups that struggle to serve our lowest-income residents.”

The city expects to receive approximately $500,000 in CDBG funds and $300,000 in HOME funds for the 2013-14 fiscal year, Foster said. These funds may be used for affordable housing and other community development activities, for vital public service projects and for removal of architectural barriers.

Some of the organizations that have received funding in the past are Davis Community Meals, Citizens Who Care, Short-Term Emergency Aid Committee, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center and CommuniCare Health Centers.

Representatives of local nonprofit groups interested in submitting a grant application are invited to attend an applicant workshop hosted by the city at 10 a.m. Friday in the Game Room at the Veterans’ Memorial Center, 203 E. 14th St. The workshop is expected to last about two hours.

Grant applications are due to the city by 5 p.m. Jan. 31. The city’s Social Services Commission will hear applicant presentations in March and the City Council is expected to decide which groups will receive grants in April.

Applications may be downloaded from the city’s website, www.cityofdavis.org, by clicking the “CDBG/HOME RFP” link under City Quick Links found at the bottom right corner of the home page.

For more information, call Mike Goodison, administrative analyst II in the Housing and Grants Management Division, at 530-747-5858.