$20 million grant aids Parlier housing, city improvements

The city of Parlier is receiving $2 million in federal funding aimed at increasing affordable housing and making citywide home improvements.

The city announced the awarding of a Federal Community Development Block Grant, which is designed to develop viable communities with decent housing and economic opportunities.

The small city in eastern Fresno County has already identified its needs. City Manager Israel Lara said community input at two public meetings identified suitable projects.

▪ The First-Time Home Buyer Program will provide financial and technical assistance to first-time homebuyers so they can make home purchases within city limits.

▪ The Housing Rehabilitation Program is expected to allow the city to repair severely neglected homes and address issues like electrical, plumbing, roofing and heating.

▪ The Public Improvements project will help fund infrastructure for a new housing development underway in the city. The developer for Avila South, Amandip Gill, said the housing project should begin by early next year.

Without help from the grant, Gill’s housing development would have had to charge higher prices for homes. About 51 percent of the 70 homes expected from the development will be fixed for moderate income or entry-level buyers.

▪ The city also crafted a City-Wide Storm Drainage Master Plan. The plan is mainly geared toward fixing storm drain issues. The city’s staff also plans future projects like an annual storm drain replacement program.

The federal funding program is state-administered.

This story was originally published November 5, 2016 at 4:04 PM with the headline "$20 million grant aids Parlier housing, city improvements."