County seeking grant to re-house displaced Niland fire victims
EL CENTRO — A little more than 10 months ago the community of Niland experienced a devastating fire that destroyed more than 40 structures and cost 33 families their homes.
At their meeting Tuesday, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution that authorized the submission of a grant application of $4.46 million through the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and its Community Development Block Grant. That funding would include the cost of 18 to 20 mobile homes on lots in Niland where homes were destroyed in the fire.
The funding originates from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Current funding availability (Rounds 2 and 3) is for colonias allocation.
A little more than $2.12 million of the money the county is requesting is for housing replacement due to the fires in Niland, and $1.82 million is for rehabilitation of existing multifamily developments in colonia designations in unincorporated areas in Imperial County.
When administration costs are included, Deputy County Executive Officer Esperanza Colio said $2.4 million will be used to replace houses that were lost during the Niland fire. Participants must be income eligible.
The Rapid Rehousing program, if funded, will allow the acquisition of existing houses, apartments, duplexes or 4-plexes to provide rapid rehousing services to the homeless population or to those at risk of becoming homeless.
A 20-year forgivable loan will be provided to non-profit organizations interested in participating in the program and coordinating with the local Continuum of Care to provide services.
The loan will be used to acquire and rehabilitate a property identified by the non-profit, which must be located in the Imperial County Unincorporated Colonia designations. If funding is awarded, a formal request for proposals will be released.
Supervisor Chairman Mike Kelley asked if any consideration was given to rebuilding the homes, though Colio said that would be very expensive, and it would limit the number of people who could receive assistance.
Colio said the county found 18 homes that were eligible with another two that could be possible.
But to be eligible, the county had to frame its application to reflect a a safety issue posed by COVID-19. In this case, county contends that by replacing the homes lost during the fire it is reducing the spread of COVID-19 because it prevents homelessness and the congregation of homeless families and individuals in shelters,
The homes in question were not insured and many of the displaced were occupants of the homes were not the owners, Supervisor Ryan Kelley pointed out.
Several displaced Niland residents implored the county and supervisors to help them out.
Resident Porfrina Correa told the supervisors she lost her home in the fire, and because she did not have insurance she has no means to rebuild.
The five occupants who were living at the home are now staying at a trailer the county provided on a temporary basis.
Correa said she had lived in Niland for 27 years and wants to go back to her community.
Bertha Valdez attended the meeting to show sup
port for Niland residents who lost their uninsured homes, saying they have no place to live.
Colio responded by saying they are living in trailers.
Resident Maria Ponce
said the residents displaced by the fire need help.
“We are begging for help again,” Ponce said.
Luis Olmedo, executive director of Comite Civico del Valle Inc., complimented Colio for always tracking down funding for these types of projects, saying his organization will help in any way it can.
Under the terms of the program, the county would have two years to use the funds.
Supervisor Luis Plancarte said he hopes this disaster and the county’s response is the approach that will be used for future disasters or tragedies, like for an earthquake.
“We should continue to look for other funding sources.” he said.