By Brian CHERNICK

During Tuesday’s meeting the Glendale City Council agreed to adopt the Housing Authority’s recommendations for prioritizing and allocating federal entitlement funds from the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) into social services, community improvements and homelessness services.

Of the approximate $2,700,000 expected to be received $1,640,099 is to be allocated to the Community Development Block Grant (CDGB), which includes priorities in social services, neighborhood improvements, community facilities improvements, housing and homelessness prevention and assistance.

The purpose of the funds, as directed by the HUD, is to “eliminate conditions of slums and blight” and to “provide programs and services that benefit low- and moderate-income persons, including the homeless.”

An advisory committee has been established to formulate an annual plan that is consistent with Glendale’s five-year strategic plan and that meets the HUD criteria in order to receive the funding. Criteria include citizen involvement in the development and approval process. Over $1 million is allocated to neighborhood improvement projects including $370,000 for homeless housing projects. The committee hopes to use the funds to acquire and rehabilitate a 13-unit residential building for formerly homeless persons with case management services.

Proposals for projects are expected to be received by December. Historically, the city has received approximately 20 CDBG funding proposals. Typically 15 are for social services and five for community improvement projects.

Glendale has participated in CDGB funding since its inception in 1974.

Armik Avedisian sits as the chair of the CDBG advisory committee along with co-chair Lila Ramirez and members Zanku Armenian, Ramella Markarian and Vatche Tashjian.

  Brian CHERNICK