Rep. Huffman: $400,000 may be awarded to affordable housing initiative in Anderson Valley

Funds for kelp recovery also considered

July 20, 2021

An affordable housing initiative in Anderson Valley is just one local project that may receive federal funding as part of the Community Project Funding process included in the House Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2022 funding bills, the office of Rep. Jared Huffman (D -San Rafael) announced this week.

“In my role in Congress, it’s an honor to work side-by-side with local governments, community organizations, and non-profits as we strive to improve the lives of people in our district. Folks here on the ground know our communities’ needs best, and the Community Project Funding process allowed them to give recommendations on what the federal budget should prioritize,” Huffman is quoted as saying in a press release.

The release also notes that, “beginning this year, the U.S. House of Representatives allowed members of Congress to recommend specific projects in their communities for direct funding through federal appropriations. The Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Committee bills include the following projects submitted by Huffman:

Anderson Valley Affordable Housing Initiative, Mendocino County, $400,000: The funding would be used for the Anderson Valley Housing Association (AVHA) and the Anderson Valley Health Center (AVHC), who are partnering to provide affordable housing in Anderson Valley. AVHA and AVHC have a longstanding commitment to the health and wellbeing of the underserved population in the valley including those under 200% of poverty level and seasonal farm workers. There is a significant shortage of affordable housing in this rural valley and AVHA has over 40 individuals on a waiting list for affordable housing.

Greater Farallones Kelp Recovery Program, Sonoma/Mendocino, $500,000: The funding would be used to restore bull kelp forest along the Sonoma and Mendocino coastlines within Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary through large-scale urchin removal, planting kelp, and community engagement. Since 2014, over 90 percent of kelp forests in Northern California have disappeared; kelp forest recovery would benefit marine life, coastal communities, and groups impacted by kelp loss, including red abalone and red urchin fisheries and recreational companies dependent on this marine habitat. This project will partner with and compensate local divers to remove urchins from key sites already identified in the sanctuary, and collaborate with research and community partners to restore kelp.

Huffman notes that “these bills will be considered on the House Floor in the months ahead.”


Source: The Ukiah Daily Journal