By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights is proposing to use an estimated $600,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funding in 2027 to support nonprofit services, infrastructure improvements and housing-related programs.
The proposed allocations are outlined in the city’s draft 2027 Annual Action Plan, which the City Council reviewed during a public hearing Wednesday, Oct. 14. A final public hearing is scheduled later in October.
The city anticipates receiving $600,000 in federal grant funding, along with $50,000 in program income from loan repayments and $36,000 in previously allocated funds, bringing the total anticipated resources outlined in the draft plan to $686,000.
The city receives Community Development Block Grant funding directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, as an entitlement community. The federal program supports eligible activities intended to benefit low- and moderate-income residents and a draft plan for spending allocations is required by law.
Under the draft plan, the city proposes allocating $90,000 to nonprofit organizations providing public services in Citrus Heights.
Campus Life Connection is slated to receive $20,000 for its after-school program, which provides educational support, recreational activities, mentoring, tutoring and daily meals to an estimated 90 local youth at the Sayonara Center on Sayonara Drive.
Meals on Wheels is also proposed to receive $16,000 which will help provide nutritious meals to seniors. Meals would be distributed through drive-through service at Crosswoods Community Center or delivered to homebound seniors. Representatives of the nonprofit say the allocation will fund 12,000 meals, which represents almost half of their annual meals served.
Sunrise Christian Food Ministry is recommended for $29,556 to support its emergency food bank, which is expected to serve 2,500 low-income and homeless residents throughout the next year.
All three nonprofits were also approved to receive grant funding from the city’s Non-Profit Community Support Fund, with the Council approving the grant allocations later on in the same Oct. 14 meeting.
The draft Action Plan also proposes $24,444 for the Renters Helpline, operated by Community Link Capital Region and Project Sentinel. The program provides counseling, dispute resolution and fair housing services to residents experiencing housing-related disputes or crises. The city estimates the program will assist 338 households.
Project Sentinel representatives said they have counseled 91 Citrus Heights residents over the last three years and have made 19 investigations into fair housing complaints.
The draft plan also proposes $390,000 for accessibility improvements through the city’s 2026-27 Drainage and Accessibility Project, which was approved on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The proposed allocation would supplement other funding sources supporting the $11 million drainage and accessibility project, which is intended to improve pedestrian access and address infrastructure needs before roadway resurfacing.
The CDBG action plan also proposes allocating $50,000 in program income from repayments to the city’s Revolving Loan Fund. Those funds would support housing rehabilitation loans for low-income homeowners, with the city estimating that one household will receive assistance for critical home repairs during the program year.
Annually, the city also allocates $120,000 for planning and administration of the federal grant program. The funding would support required plans and reports, management of funding applications and agreements, monitoring of funded organizations, federal compliance and public outreach.
The City Council is scheduled to hear more public testimony and feedback on the draft plan during the city’s Oct. 28 City Council meeting, where the council is expected to consider final approval of the plan and funding recommendations.
