COMMUNITY MEETINGS<\/p>\n
COUNTY OF KERN<\/p>\n
PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT<\/p>\n
Kern County Planning and Natural Resources Department (PLNR) invites all residents, non-profit agencies, and special districts of unincorporated Kern County<\/p>\n
and the cities of California City, Ridgecrest, McFarland and Tehachapi to participate in one or more community meetings to be held the fourth week of the month<\/p>\n
of November, 2026. Meeting participants will have the opportunity to discuss housing and community development needs that may affect their communities. In<\/p>\n
preparation for the County\u2019s upcoming FY 2027-2028 Annual Action Plan, information concerning the following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban<\/p>\n
Development programs, which principally benefit low and moderate income persons, will also be provided:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Community Development Block Grant Program – provides grant and loan funds to improve living environments and expand economic opportunities<\/p>\n
(estimated at slightly more than $4.2 million for FY 2027-28).<\/p>\n
\u2022 HOME Investment Partnerships Program – provides loan and grant funds to improve the availability, accessibility, and affordability of decent housing<\/p>\n
(estimated at approximately $2 million for FY 2027-28).<\/p>\n
\u2022 Emergency Solutions Grant Program – provides grants for services and emergency shelters for the homeless, including homelessness prevention<\/p>\n
and rapid re-housing. Matching funds are required (estimated at approximately $388,362 for FY 2027-28).<\/p>\n
Eligible Projects: Examples of projects which may be eligible for these federal funds include: handicap accessibility improvements; owner-occupied housing<\/p>\n
rehabilitation; affordable rental housing construction\/rehabilitation; parks and recreation facilities; drainage improvements; curbs and gutters; water and sewer<\/p>\n
improvements; streets; emergency shelters; and business development and job creation activities. Application and eligibility information is available at<\/p>\n