How should Meridian spend nearly $500K to help support low- to moderate-income residents?
The city of Meridian has nearly $500,000 in federal funding to spend to support the city’s moderate- and low-income residents by providing transportation access, housing assistance and expanding the accessibility of public services.
The city is seeking input from these residents, who make 80% or less than the area median income of $47,150 for a single-person and $53,900 for two people, about how to use the funds.
“We know that it’s not always easy to access services in Meridian (without) transportation, and a lot of the services are physically located in Boise,” said Crystal Campbell, Meridian’s community development program coordinator. “We want to make sure that our residents are able to access the services that they need.”
The funding, which the city receives every year as part of the Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), must go to services in three categories: housing, public facilities and infrastructure improvements and public services for low- to moderate-income residents.
Currently the program funds two housing assistance resources: home loan and buyer assistance through the nonprofit NeighborWorks Boise and the Meridian Home Owner Repair program which provides home repairs to people who can’t afford them.
But more could be done. Is there a nonprofit whose services you used in Boise in the past year that you wished was easier to access in Meridian?
The grant program cannot be used to build new housing, but Campbell said the city tries to use it in a way that assists homeowners or buyers and also funds other public services, like emergency rental assistance through Jesse Tree.
The program also offers childcare assistance through the Boys and Girls Club and transportation for seniors from the Meridian Senior Center.
Meridian seeks input, support to keep program standing
Last year the grant program replaced the aging play structure at Chateau Park, in northeast Meridian. The new playground is accessible to people with disabilities.
“I was driving home several months ago and so I drove into the neighborhood to go check out the new park,” Campbell said. “And I had to stop several times because there were so many families just like running to this park, where normally it’s kind of an empty park. It was really exciting to see how big the impact it had in that neighborhood.”
Campbell said the community block grant program doesn’t typically get a lot of input from residents, which worries her.
“We have to have public support both locally and nationally in order for it to keep going,” Campbell said. “It’s not a guarantee, and we do a lot of good in the community. We’re trying to make sure people understand where this funding is coming from so that they can support it moving forward.”
Funding from HUD to Meridian’s grant program has decreased from previous years, according to data Campbell provided to the Idaho Statesman. Below are the amounts awarded to the city from 2020 to today:
- 2020 - $489,679
- 2021 - $501,559
- 2022 - $517,466
- 2023 – $482,362 expected
“There are additional communities receiving Community Development Block Grant funds each year, but there has not been a substantial increase in the federal budget over the last several years,” Campbell said in an email.
The Meridian City Council opened a public hearing during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 4, for residents to give testimony on how to distribute the funds. The hearing will be open until Tuesday, April 18. Residents can fill out a survey online or they can reach Campbell at ccampbell@meridiancity.org.
