Applications Sought for Housing Grants

With more than $1 million in federal money earmarked to help Ventura County’s homeless residents, affordable-housing advocates are seeking proposals for projects aimed at pushing homeless individuals and families toward self-sufficiency.

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced that $675 million is available nationwide for such efforts, including $661,000 for the city of Oxnard and $629,000 for the county of Ventura.

Nonprofit groups, local governments, public housing agencies and mental health providers are invited to pitch proposals and apply for the federal dollars.

Projects are graded on a complex point system and funded based on community need. The application deadline is June 12.

“The more people who apply, the more money that comes into Ventura County,” said Kathy Sube, program coordinator for the Ventura County Homeless and Housing Coalition.

Agencies interested in applying for the federal money or learning more about the application process can attend a meeting at 2:30 p.m. today at the Oxnard Library, 251 South A St.

Another meeting, sponsored by the homeless and housing coalition, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the United Way of Ventura County, 1339 Del Norte Road, Camarillo.

For more information, call 652-1326.