People Helping People Receives Grant to Make Building Improvements

Seven Federal Grants Allocated County-wide

People Helping People (PHP) has been awarded a federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. The County receives an annual allocation of federal funds for both public services and capital improvements that it distributes to governmental agencies and non-profits based upon adopted strategic plan priorities and a competitive application process.

Nearly $700,000 was available solely for capital improvements in this recent round of competition for funding. The County received 22 applications and the application of PHP was 1 of 7 recommended for funding by County Housing and Community Development Department staff. The recommendations of staff were reviewed by the County’s Capital Development Committee and later presented to and approved by the Board of Supervisors.

PHP will receive $149,000 in order to replace forty-five year old windows and heating and ventilation systems in its Solvang Service Center located on North Alisal Road in Solvang. Funds are also currently designated for some disability access improvements.

Dean Palius, PHP CEO, said that the organization was somewhat surprised but extremely delighted to receive the CDBG funding. “The application was extremely competitive, there was limited funding, a short time in which to define a project, develop estimates, complete the application and finish construction. However, we have an older building and very limited funds to make improvements so we took the gamble to apply and it paid off.”

Work on the PHP project will not start until November and according to grant requirements must be 75% complete by February 28^th. The work includes replacing the glass in 14 windows on the north, east and west sides of the PHP Service Center with low e glass and tinting 9 fixed fire glass windows on the south side. In addition, the buildings antiquated mixture of ineffective and inefficient through the wall heaters/air conditioners and heat pumps will be replaced by high efficiency models. Handicap access projects currently scheduled to be completed include striping the parking area, new signage on entry doors and safety striping indoor and outdoor stairs.

While contracts are being drawn up by the County, PHP will be working on developing the federally required package to solicit competitive bids for the work and obtaining building permits from the City of Solvang.

PHP’s Palius said that once completed, the CDBG funded work will result in reduced energy costs and a much more comfortable environment for staff and the 2,000 clients we see at the Service Center each year. “Every dollar we spend on repairs trying to keep our old systems running and excess utility charges are dollars we cannot use for services. We expect to show significant savings from these improvements.”

PHP is a certified 501 c-3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of men, women and children in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos and immediate environs by addressing emergency and basic needs and furnishing comprehensive integrated family and individual support services. To learn more about PHP programs and ways that you can help, please visit the PHP web site at www.syvphp.org or call 805-686-0295.