SAN CLEMENTE : City Seeks Funds to Redo Blighted Units

The City Council last week approved a “wish list” that it hopes will result in more than $200,000 from the federal government to fund a newly proposed housing rehabilitation program and other projects for low-income residents.

The council is asking for $75,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to establish a housing rehabilitation program and another $20,000 to administer the program.

The city currently has a housing rehabilitation program that is administered by the county, but city officials say the program has been underused because it is administered in Santa Ana.

Under the guidelines of the proposed program, qualified property owners could receive between $5,000 and $15,000 in low-interest loans to rehabilitate blighted rental property.

Under the conditions of the loan, the owner would also have to commit to a 10- to 20-year agreement requiring that the rent on the property remain at a level affordable for low-income families.

The council also requested $41,475 for a neighborhood landscaping project, $20,000 for the temporary housing shelter Episcopal Service Alliance-Anchor House, $15,000 for the San Clemente Seniors shared housing program, $4,000 for Human Options Battered Women’s Shelter, $8,000 for the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center Program, $4,000 for the Coast Ballet Theater and $3,000 for the Center for Creative Alternatives.

The council based its decision on which proposed projects should receive support by reviewing the recommendations of the city’s Planning Commission and Human Resources Committee. The money will be awarded in March, said Leslie Davis, associate planner and housing coordinator.

The Community Development Block Grant program provides federal funds for public works, housing and service projects to benefit low-income residents and low-income neighborhoods.

Last year, the city was awarded only $58,000 in funds after requesting more than $97,000 for various projects. This was one of the smallest allotments among Orange County cities, which Davis said was due to San Clemente’s lack of its own housing rehabilitation program.

Davis said the city’s intent to establish a housing rehabilitation program should increase its chances of receiving more federal money.