Yucaipa allocates limited CDBG public-service funds to four nonprofits

The Yucaipa City Council on Feb. 9 prioritized a subset of CDBG public-service applications and voted to divide the $22,731 that the city may use for public services among four organizations: Partners Against Violence, the Yucaipa branch of the San Bernardino County Library, First Tee Inland Empire and Girls on the Run Inland Empire. Council conducted a public hearing to hear presentations from six applicant organizations and reviewed staff's estimate that the city's FY 2026'27 CDBG allocation will be approximately $151,541, a decrease from $219,563 the prior year tied to HUD's reduced allocation.

CDBG staff explained that the city submitted one capital project (an ADA parking/access improvement at the Yucaipa Performing Arts Center with a project total of $128,000) and that federal rules allow up to 15% of the local allocation to be applied to public-service programs (about $22,731). Applicants described their services: Partners Against Violence (survivor advocacy and a 24/7 crisis hotline), First Tee (youth-development golf programs with scholarships), Girls on the Run (social-emotional learning for third'eighth grade girls) and the library's adult-literacy program. Yucaipa Kalamesa Family Assistance and another applicant also presented; council discussed program outcomes and whether some services represent emergency relief rather than long-term housing solutions.

Deputy Mayor Bieber proposed allocating the full $22,731 to the four named programs divided equally (approximately $5,682.75 each). After council discussion about tracking outcomes and coordination with existing homelessness and community-activity grants, the motion carried by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will record award amounts, notify recipients, and include outcome-reporting requirements in future grant reporting. Council asked staff to provide applicant performance reports with future applications so members can evaluate program reach and Yucaipa-specific service metrics before awarding funds in later cycles.