HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2 - Community Needs Workshop Staff Report Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report Meeting Date: October 2, 2019
Item Number: 2
DATE: October 2, 2019
FROM: Cara Vereschagin, Housing Coordinator
SUBJECT: Community Needs Workshop for 2020-21 Grant Programs
RECOMMENDATION
Conduct a public hearing to solicit public comments on current community health and human
services needs in the City of San Luis Obispo.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Community Needs Workshop is hosted annually, to inform the public about upcoming grant
programs and funding amounts, as well as to solicit public comments on current community health
and human services needs within the City. The Human Relations Commission (HRC) then
develops funding priorities for the various programs, based on the feedback from the public and
HRC goals. The HRC then reviews all the grant applications in light of those funding priorities.
This funding cycle, the City has Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, Grants-
in-Aid (GIA) funds, and new general fund monies allocated for diversity and inclusion efforts.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Overview
The CDBG program is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD). The County of San Luis Obispo manages this grant and the funding
decisions must be approved by the Board of Supervisors in the County’s annual Action Plan. The
funding is non-competitive, however all projects that are recommended for funding must directly
or indirectly benefit low-income persons. It is estimated that the City has about $387,157 available
for new projects.
Grants-in-Aid (GIA) Program Overview
The City’s GIA program serves to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that
promote the economic and social well-being of the citizens of San Luis Obispo. Programs
requesting funding must be tied explicitly to at least one established funding priority and must be
consistent with the Purpose statement outlined in HRC bylawsi. The City has $150,000 available
for grant awards.
City of San Luis Obispo, Title, Subtitle
Community Needs Workshop for 2020-21 Grant Programs
Page 2
Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
As part of the 2019-21 Financial Plan, the City Council allocated a portion of general fund money
to help assist with diversity and inclusion efforts. The Human Relations Commission is tasked
with soliciting public input on the needs and barriers to inclusion, in order to identify how to best
utilize the $20,000 funding allocation. Once commentary has been collected, the HRC and City
Council will develop next steps to disperse these monies. Some preliminary ideas include:
• Community workshops, events, and/or celebrations
• Diversity and inclusion training for City grant recipients, City officials, and community
members
• Increased collaboration with other City advisory bodies (i.e. Promotional Coordinating
Committee), Cal Poly’s Office Diversity & Inclusion, the Diversity Coalition of San Luis
Obispo County, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, and other local businesses and
organizations on current and future events
• Offering vital City documents, regulations, and publications in different languages
NEXT STEPS
After the Community Needs Workshop, the HRC will develop funding priorities for the CDBG
and GIA grants, which will be forwarded on to the City Council for consideration. The HRC will
then review the various grant applications and make funding recommendations in light of the
priorities. Applications for CDBG grants are due on October 25 to the County of San Luis Obispo,
and applications for the GIA grants will become available on December 2.
i It is the purpose of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) to advise the Council in its actions to create an
environment within the City in which all persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or physical, mental or economic status. The Human Relations Commission
shall make recommendations to the City Council or the City Manager on how these social concerns and human needs
can best be addressed.
Send a letter to
990 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo, CA
or email cveresch@slocity.org
by 5 p.m., October 1, 2019
COMMUNITY NEEDSWORKSHOP
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION & CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Wednesday, October 2
Come and Be Heard!
The City of San Luis Obispo Human Relations
Commission (HRC) invites the public to participate and
provide input regarding the health and human service
needs for the community.
Help the HRC Decide How To
Spend 2020 Funds!
The HRC will use public testimony to
recommend funding for the Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) and
Grants-in-Aid (GIA) programs, as well as
Diversity & Inclusion funds. Can’t be there?
Provide input online
through Open City Hall at
www.slocity.org/
opencityhall
More Information Contact
Phone: (805) 781-7596
Email: cveresch@slocity.org
5 p.m. at Council Chamber
990 Palm Street
OR