Coeur d’Alene awards more than $88,000 in CDBG grants

From flooring improvements at a transitional housing facility, to support for on-site youth and family counseling programs, the City of Coeur d’Alene has announced four grants to support its low- to –moderate income residents.

City Council members unanimously approved the 2017 Community Development Block Grant awards at their January 2 meeting, totaling $88,524. The City was awarded its first CDBG grant in 2008, thanks to funding provided by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Agency.

“While the City of Coeur d’Alene’s annual funding from HUD is modest, we’re very proud to be able to provide support for programs and services that assist some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Steve Widmyer.

Programs nationwide are built at the local level to meet local needs, and can support various projects like housing and public facility rehabilitation, public service programs, economic development, and slum and blight mitigation. The City receives on average about $300,000 annually for its program.  Five applicants applied for the Coeur d’Alene grants this year and four were determined eligible for an award.

The following applicants received awards:

• Trinity Group Homes, Inc. for flooring improvements to their newly acquired transitional housing 16-unit group home apartments. Award: $21,333.00.
• Safe Passage for a new roof and needed electrical code upgrades to an emergency women’s shelter. Award: $25,028.
• Children’s Village, Inc. for public service funding to support two part-time employee positions supporting the expansion of their on-site youth and family counseling program. Award: $24,252.80.
• Commonwealth Agency, Inc. for various public service activities supporting low-to-moderate income seniors. Award: $17,856.20.

The City is now in the process of updating its required five-year Consolidated Plan, which outlines the city’s housing and community development needs, priorities, goals, and strategies for the funding and also stipulates how funds will be allocated to meet those needs and goals.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposal at 6 p.m. January 16, 2018, at the Coeur d’Alene Library Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave. For more information on how to comment, attend the meeting, or review the draft 2018-2022 proposal, visit cdaid.org/CDBG.