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Simi Valley directs remaining ARPA recovery funds to local nonprofits
Summary
Council approved one-time and multi-year allocations from remaining COVID recovery funds: $147,266.26 to the Free Clinic for HVAC work and $121,000 annually for three years ($363,000) to the Samaritan Center for case management, housing assistance and food pantry services.
The Simi Valley City Council voted unanimously to allocate the remaining COVID-19 community recovery grant funds to local nonprofits, backing staff recommendations to support health and shelter services.
Senior management analyst Heidi Donardo told the council the city’s ARPA allocation originally totaled just over $15.3 million and that about $1.3 million remained in the community recovery grant program. Donardo said the Free Clinic of Simi Valley requested a one‑time allocation of $147,266.26 to complete an approved HVAC replacement at its Royal Avenue facility. The Samaritan Center requested $121,000 per year for three years (a total of $363,000) to continue case management, housing assistance and food pantry services; Samaritan Center Executive Director Anika Zambi told council the funding allowed the center to expand staff and services following prior ARPA support.
Council member Mayor Pro Tem Judge moved to receive and file the program update and approve both funding requests; the motion passed unanimously. Council also approved a motion to require annual reporting on the Samaritan Center funds. Staff told the council these funds were already accounted for in the FY 2023–24 budget as allocated ARPA revenue, so no new general‑fund appropriation was needed.
Councilmembers noted the local safety net and the value of sustaining services that address food insecurity and housing instability during federal benefit disruptions.
