Simi Programs, Projects Feel Impact of Federal Budget Impasse

Federal budget woes trickled down to Simi Valley Monday night, as the City Council tried to divvy up a federal funding pie that will be 55% smaller this year.

At issue is $382,000 in Community Development Block Grant money--a sharp drop from the $802,200 that Simi Valley’s public and private infrastructure and social service programs received last year from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Council members heard pleas from agencies such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Simi Valley Adult Education office to keep their share of the block grants as large as possible. The council plans to hear more appeals May 6. After that hearing, the council will make a final determination of where the grants will go.

At Monday night’s meeting, Director Jim Lowry of the Boys & Girls Club thanked the City Council for its support of the new clubhouse due to open May 1. But he also asked for an additional $40,600 to buy new athletic equipment, saying, “The kids learn something from every single activity.”

He added: “Many, many grant requests have been put forth here tonight. It’s a small amount of money but a big amount of responsibility. . . . We ask for whatever you can give.”

Others spoke on behalf of programs that have helped them.

Norma Foster, who suffered a stroke in 1988, asked the council to approve an $11,200 grant for the Special Awareness Computer Center, which helps housebound patients and stroke victims.

“The center helped me put my life back together,” said Foster, who now volunteers at the center. “It helped me with my memory. . . . All day long, I see clients who have had a stroke or other debilitating disease, and they all are doing wonderfully well.”

And Pamela Schuman asked the council to give $25,000 to the Caring Neighbor program, in which volunteers perform home repairs, housekeeping and provide medical transportation services to the elderly.

“Those we serve may be economically disadvantaged,” said Schuman, the program director. “But they are fiercely independent and [want] to remain so.”

One speaker asked the city to forgo such costly programs as the project to revitalize the Tapo Street business district and spend money instead on housing for people with low and moderate incomes.

“Homelessness is caused by no homes. That’s it,” said Eileen McEnery, who has been homeless in the past. “I’m asking this community to stop pricing middle . . . and lower . . . income people out of their homes.”

HUD had warned the city that it is entitled to only 45% of the funds it received last year because of continuing uncertainty over the federal budget--which remains unsigned more than six months after Congress and the President were supposed to have approved it.

HUD officials said they may give more money to Simi Valley in the coming months, depending on how much is available once Congress and President Clinton resolve their differences and approve the new budget.

With the limited dollars, the city is considering distributing the grants to:

* The above-mentioned revitalization project for the Tapo Street business corridor that includes lighting, landscaping and facade improvements, which would be allotted $198,486.

* $10,000 for Catholic Charities OASIS outreach program for elderly residents in need of grocery delivery, taxi service and help with caring for relatives with Alzheimer’s disease.

* A $42,500 plan to expand the Baseballers Against Drugs program to include people involved in Child Abuse and Neglect Inc., Big Brothers/Sisters of Ventura County and others.

* A $20,000 plan to build a functioning windmill exhibit at the Simi Valley Historical Society and Museum.

* A $50,000 grant for the Samaritan Center’s continued outreach to Simi Valley’s homeless people and related shelter services.

* A $7,000 grant to the countywide pantry for the needy, FOOD Share Inc., to help pay for an expansion of its refrigerator/ freezer warehouse.

Other grants include work training programs for the mentally disabled through the Rancho Simi Park District, a computer training program for homebound elderly residents and free medical care for needy children.