Local News in Brief : Irvine : U.S. Puts Limits on Use of $496,000 Grant

For the second time in recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has said that Irvine can use a $496,000 federal grant only to convert a dog kennel into a shelter for the homeless.

Even though the city had already been told once about HUD’s restrictions on the use of the money, the City Council voted Oct. 27 to accept the grant, 3 to 2. However, the council had hoped the agency could be persuaded to lift its restrictions.

But Assistant City Manager Paul Brady Jr. said Friday that HUD officials in Washington have held firm on their earlier ruling that the grant is not transferable to another project for the homeless.

The city applied for the grant this summer to convert a vacant dog kennel at the Irvine Animal Care Center on Sand Canyon Avenue into a 50-bed transitional housing facility. Since then, public pressure and displeasure with the plan has prompted city officials to look at other options, such as buying modular units.

Irvine Mayor Larry Agran has said that unless HUD changes its position, the city will keep the money and push ahead with the conversion of the kennel.

Meanwhile, the city has applied to HUD for another $625,000 to buy modular units, which would be placed at the 20-acre animal care center. Brady said the city should learn the fate of the second grant application by early December.