City Seeks Advice on How to Spend U.S. Housing Aid

Residents will get a chance to tell city officials how to spend nearly $2 million in federal housing funds over the next four years during a public hearing tonight.

Don Anderson, the city’s community development director, said Westminster was recently notified by the federal government that it will receive the money and that the city is required to seek public comment on how the funds should be spent.

“We’re now considered a ‘participating jurisdiction,’ which means we will automatically receive federal funds for this program,” Anderson said. “In the past, we had to compete for the money.”

At the hearing, residents may offer suggestions on “just about anything that has to do with housing” for low-and moderate-income people, Anderson said.

“The money could be used to assist people who rent housing, people buying a first home or for housing rehabilitation and improvements for people who, due to age or illness or income, are not able to fix their homes,” he said.

After hearing public input, the city’s staff will make recommendations to the City Council next month.

The public hearing will be at 7 p.m. in council chambers, 14121 Cedarwood St., Westminster. Information: (714) 898-3311.