CDBG Funds Aid Thousands of Disadvantaged Arvadans
Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten Program
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are received by cities, counties, and states from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and constitute one of the last few remaining Federal resources available to jurisdictions to help meet the needs of their disadvantaged and at risk citizens and neighborhoods. This program recognizes that local citizens and their elected representatives are most familiar with their community’s needs and allows vital flexibility within reasonable limits to design and implement solutions for pressing community problems. CDBG also allows communities to strike partnerships with local non-profit organizations to make the most efficient use of limited public resources.
In 2010, the City of Arvada utilized CDBG funds to assist various agencies in providing vital services to 13,486 low- and moderate-income Arvada citizens. End of year reporting reveals that Arvada CDBG funding was utilized, most often in cooperation with local non-profit organizations, to:
- Aid 20 homeowners to make vital home repairs through the City Essential Home Repairs Program.
- Completely fund the Creekside Pedestrian Crossing and Drainage Project which removed hazardous and failing pedestrian low water crossings and drainage conditions in this City neighborhood park and bike trail while providing new recreation facilities for children.
- Provide food to 5,551 families through the Arvada Community Food Bank.
- Provide primary medical care to 350 children and adults through the Carin’ Clinic.
- Provide a senior meal site in Olde Town Arvada through the Volunteers of America Senior lunch program, and through the Meals-On-Wheels program to 81 Arvada seniors.
- Assist the Jefferson County Mental Health Center which provided services for 4,746 at-risk Arvada children, families, and individual adults. This assistance comes in the form of in-home counseling, group, individual therapy, or transitioning back into life after a hospital stay or personal crisis.
- Assist the Senior’s Resource Center in providing services for 109 senior citizens such as home repairs, transportation, medical insurance assistance, job training, and care management.
- Assist Ralston House in providing services to 177 child victims of abuse or violence.
- Assist The Family Tree Hotline, providing information to 687 Arvada low-income individuals and families for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
CDBG is widely regarded as a vital and flexible Federal community development and housing assistance program returning tax dollars back to individual communities to assist those citizens who are most in need. However, there are proposed deep Federal budget cuts singling out this vital and effective program that could devastate its ability to fund vital assistance within the City.
