The Santa Barbara City Council recently awarded more than $1.4 million in human service grants to community organizations.
The grants were funded through the general fund and the federal Community Development Block Grant Program.
“This is a safety net,” said Andrea Slaby, chief operating officer and co-founder of the Organic Soup Kitchen. “What you provide to our organization is really a safety net to our citizens who are low-income, our cancer patients who are low-income, and they rely on really good nutrition. And we provide that.”
The city received 46 funding requests, totaling about $2.5 million.
After a review of each application, the Community Development and Human Services Committee recommended funding for 41 proposals.
Among the organizations that received money were the Organic Soup Kitchen with $28,000, Transition House with $64,000 and the New Beginnings Counseling Center Safe Parking Program with $45,000.
For a full list of grantees, click here.
The city has two funding priorities. The first priority is programs that help meet basic human needs, specifically food, shelter and housing and medical.
The second tier includes programs that reduce the impact of violence, including the prevention of gun violence and suicide, and/or are preventive in nature and/or promote the highest degree of functioning the individual is capable of achieving, according to a city staff report.
CDBG funding is provided annually to the city. It can be used for a variety of eligible
activities benefiting low- and moderate-income people.
By law, up to 15% of CDBG funds may be used for public service activities, and up to 20% may be allocated for administration of the CDBG and Fair Housing programs. The remaining 65% may be used for capital construction and economic development projects.
The city also awarded $515,000 to various capital projects, including $105,000 for the Bohnett Park basketball courts and $110,00 for the Alameda Park Safety Lighting Program.
Michael Rassler, executive director of Hillside, a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy, thanked the council for a $40,000 contribution.
“Congratulations on completing an impossible task,” Rassler said. “How do you spend what there isn’t to spend, when every applicant is worthy, whether they are a first-time applicant or the 10th year in?”
In October, the City Council set aside $476,150 in general fund money to support human service programs that provide direct services to low-income city residents. In December, the council voted to increase support to such programs by an additional $250,000.
“It’s really fantastic to see all those names and all those recipients, and it’s because of a council decision to put that funding forward,” Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon said.
