Committee approves reprogramming of CDBG funds, launches $30,000 legacy grant for Sacred Grounds

Los Angeles — The Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disability Committee voted unanimously to reprogram Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and CDBG‑CV funds to cover capital needs and program shortfalls and to initiate a legacy business grant to Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop.

Veronica McDonald, assistant general manager for the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), told the committee the reprogramming identifies roughly $8,900,000 in CDBG entitlement to close gaps on six projects and about $4,200,000 in CDBG‑CV funds to reallocate to three projects so the city can spend the remaining coronavirus‑era dollars before federal deadlines. "We have identified about $8,900,000 in CDBG entitlement, to fund 6 projects, that have identified gaps," McDonald said.

Rebecca Ronquillo, CIFD chief of planning and administration, emphasized timeliness: "Today is the day that HUD administers the timeliness test. And I am excited to say that, along with this reprogramming, previous to this, we have met the timeliness test," she said, explaining that reprogramming helps avoid federal recapture of funds.

The committee also approved a substitute…