South County in San Diego has landed a significant victory for its disadvantaged communities after receiving a $10 million grant from the state's Regional Early Action Planning Higher Impact Transformative (HIT) program, according to SANDAG. The grant comes after intense collaboration between city, county, and non-profit organizations, marking significant strides in affordable housing and sustainable transportation for an area often left behind in the public eye, with the development of a transit-oriented affordable housing project at Palm Avenue Transit Station and enhanced connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, among other features.
At the nexus of this accomplishment are the city, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas, and various non-profit organizations including Casa Familiar, National Community Renaissance (National CORE), and Malik Infill Development, who together celebrated the grant and its promise to stimulate impactful investments in housing and transportation for locals in disadvantaged communities, per NBC San Diego.
This financial boost comes through the Transforming & Advancing South County Transit Communities (TASC) program, which aims to bolster affordable housing and more efficient transportation for communities in southern San Diego, a goal shared by the various organizations involved in the public-private partnership, according to SANDAG. San Diego County officials and community leaders expressed their excitement over this win, which speaks volumes about the power of collaboration and the positive change that can come from investing in underrepresented communities.
A prime example of the grant's potential impact is the Palm Avenue Transit Station housing development, which will provide much-needed affordable housing near reliable and accessible transportation options in South County, as mentioned in the SANDAG release. Additional funds from the grant will be directed toward converting an alleyway into a safer corridor for pedestrians and cyclists and establishing rent-to-own opportunities for San Ysidro residents, thus improving both safety and accessibility for disadvantaged communities in the region.
With this monumental leap forward, San Diego has captured a significant portion of the statewide funding pool, taking $10 million of the total $30 million, in large part due to the powerful synergy between the city, county, SANDAG, and non-profit organizations that have come together in support of a brighter future for South County, as reported in both the Chula Vista Today and SANDAG articles.
Furthermore, the state's approval of SANDAG's full Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) application this month adds $43 million in formula funding to the region's pot for planning and implementing projects that accelerate progress toward climate and housing goals across the county, as mentioned in Chula Vista Today. This substantial funding will be divided between an affordable housing trust fund and three separate sub-allocation programs to support planning, capital investments, predevelopment work, and redevelopment at transit hubs, while also helping meet the unique housing needs of tribal nations in the Southern California Tribal Chairman's Association.
In conclusion, the significant $10 million state grant, combined with the collaborative efforts of San Diego's city, county, and non-profit organizations, represents a potentially game-changing development for the underrepresented communities in South County. The funds will drive meaningful change in affordable housing, transportation alternatives, and emission reductions, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for South County residents and setting the stage for future generations to thrive.
