Community Project Funding Requests FY2024
House Committee on Appropriations
Community Project Funding Requests for FY2024
Congresswoman Sánchez has submitted funding requests for important community projects in the 38th Congressional District of California to the House Appropriations Committee.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for fiscal year 2024 – although there is no guarantee on how many will be funded.
Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on rules governing Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congresswoman Sánchez has certified that neither she nor her immediate family have any financial interest in any of the projects she has requested.
NOTE: The figures listed below indicate the dollar amount requested for each corresponding project.
Projects Requested
The projects are listed in alphabetical order by recipient name.
Recipient Name: Cerritos Community College District
Project Name: Child Development Center
Recipient Address: 11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, California, 90650
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Project Description and Justification: The Cerritos College Child Development Center is an award-winning laboratory school, training future teachers in the field of Early Childhood Education. With a staff of 24 individuals, the program serves students, college employees, and the community to provide a safe, nurturing, and educational program, which focuses on developmentally appropriate experiences for children. Cerritos College began providing childcare services off-site at the Niemes Child Development Center in 1973 and moved on campus in 1976. In 2015, the District completed the first phase of construction with a $6.1 million-dollar renovation that largely focused on the Outdoor Classroom Demonstration site with learning features based on the California landscape. Two classrooms with support facilities were moved to temporary, modular buildings until the second phase of construction can be completed. The existing Outdoor Classroom Demonstration site will remain a fixture of the CDC upon completion of the second phase of construction.
For 50 years, the CDC has provided quality childcare to the community, student-parents, and employees while training future early childhood education teachers as a laboratory school. While the CDC’s programs have remained steady and strong, it has been housed in a temporary modular building for several years. As the District rebuilds its aging facilities, the College seeks to provide its CDC with a permanent structure.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of Diamond Bar, CA
Project Name: Heritage Park Renovation Project (Phase 1)
Recipient Address: 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California, 91765
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Project Description and Justification: The Heritage Park Renovation Project is a multi-phase approach designed to renovate the community center, parking lot, walkways, restroom facilities, playground, tot lot, picnic area, basketball courts and ball field, while ensuring full ADA compliance and accessibility for people of all ages. The renovation will also create a stimulating play experience for children and individuals with disabilities. Overall, these improvements will make the facility safer and more energy efficient.
Additionally, the Project aims to explore partnerships with local nonprofit organizations to provide direct access to the renovated facility for shared community programming and events. This collaboration will help create a true community space, where all residents can come together to learn, grow, and connect. Phase 1 of the Project will focus on the renovation of the community center, restroom facilities, parking lot and walkways, along with making the facility more accessible and ADA compliant. A Community Project Funding allocation of $1.5 million for Phase 1 would not only facilitate the described improvements, but also provide significant leverage in the effort to finance the completion of the entire Project.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of La Habra, CA
Project Name: Vista Grande Park Project
Recipient Address: 110 East La Habra Boulevard, La Habra, CA 90631
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Project Description and Justification: The property for Vista Grande Park is the last significant undeveloped City-owned open space left in La Habra. This site is a blighted former County landfill located at the southeast corner of Lambert Road and Idaho Street. The land is currently blighted, deteriorated, and ready to be redeveloped to create a community asset for this disadvantaged community.
The new Vista Grande Park Project will lay the foundation to revitalize this underutilized and blighted space within the City of La Habra. The City has held 7 public meetings in various locations around the community requesting their input of as to what they would like to see at the Park. The residents were asked about detailed design ideas, how they would like the items to be designed, and what the amenities should look like. This has been a community led project, with significant community input and discussion on the various amenities of the park. The community park design includes open green space for family and recreational use, along with active recreational amenities for all visitors. The playground areas will be designed with elements that will benefit children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and be ADA compliant with the focus on providing an all-inclusive community resource. Other community amenities include picnic areas with a work-out trail and exercise equipment as well as a public restroom and storage facility.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of La Mirada, CA
Project Name: Behringer Park Athletic Field Restroom and Snack Bar Building Renovations
Recipient Address: 13700 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada, California 90638
Amount Requested: $2,200,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used for the renovation of the Behringer Park Athletic Field Restroom and Snack Bar Building. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the project would benefit more than 2,300 young athletes, approximately 700 volunteer coaches, and thousands of spectators for the various youth sports leagues including baseball, softball, football and cheer, and soccer. The snack bar facilities and restrooms share buildings (one on the north side and the other on the south side), which have not been updated in many years beyond routine maintenance. These facilities require improvements to their plumbing systems, electrical upgrades, and other improvements to ensure compliance with Health Code regulations and Americans with Disability Act regulations.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of Montebello, CA
Project Name: City of Montebello Police Department License Plate Reader and Geographic Data Mapping Project
Recipient Address: 1600 West Beverly Blvd, Montebello, California 90640
Amount Requested: $300,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used to provide the Montebello Police Department with license plate and geographic data mapping software to enhance their enforcement and investigative capabilities, expand their collection of relevant data, and expedite the tedious and time consuming process of comparing vehicle license plates with lists of stolen, wanted, and other vehicles of interest.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Requested by City of Norwalk, CA)
Project Name: Water System Improvement Program (WSIP)
Recipient Address: 915 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Amount Requested: $1,260,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used for design and construction of water facilities, including groundwater production wells, groundwater injection wells groundwater recharge facilities, distribution and transmission main pipelines, water storage reservoirs, and treatment facilities, and related and supporting infrastructure as required for the extraction, treatment, and conveyance of groundwater and imported supplies within and Central Groundwater Basin underlying the City of Norwalk. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the project will expand local water supply availability, system storage and operational flexibility, and reliability during responses to emergencies such as fires. The improvements will greatly reduce the City of Norwalk’s dependence on imported water supplies and increase its resiliency, independence, and operational flexibility during drought conditions.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of Norwalk, CA Transportation System
Project Name: Bus Stop Equity Project
Recipient Address: 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650
Amount Requested: $2,200,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used to provide the transit-reliant patrons of the City of Norwalk with ample shade and seating to protect against the drastic climate changes Southern California is experiencing, including solar panels providing ample lighting for patrons' safety while waiting at all stops and real-time information displays powered by said panels to offer patrons with accurate wait times, improving quality and operational efficiency.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of Pico Rivera, CA
Project Name: Historic Whittier Boulevard Neighborhood Paseos Project
Recipient Address: 6615 Passons Boulevard, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used to transform blighted back alleys and public parking lots into a welcoming, family-friendly network of neighborhood paseos that serve as vibrant outdoor dining areas in the heart of “uptown” Pico Rivera along Historic Whittier Boulevard. it will incorporate all necessary ADA improvements to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities and improve safety vulnerable road users such as seniors, youth, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The paseos are a critical component to creating bustling, business-friendly uptown district. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will improve neighborhood safety and provide open space needed to complement mixed-use development growth critical to creating a bustling, business-friendly uptown district.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of Santa Fe Springs, CA
Project Name: Slauson Avenue Street Improvement Project
Recipient Address: 11710 E. Telegraph Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Amount Requested: $2,250,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used to improve traffic flow and safety and pedestrian amenities for a 0.77-mile segment of Slauson Avenue, between Sorensen Avenue and Santa Fe Springs Road. The Project consists of removing 2 to 5 inches of existing asphalt concrete and replacing it with fiber reinforced asphalt concrete. New sidewalk construction will include pedestrian amenities, new trees, and an analysis of the feasibility for Class III bike lanes. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the combination of heavy industrial traffic volumes and heavy rainstorms has left the roadway in extremely poor condition. The project site is located within the highest percentile of Disadvantaged Community as defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: City of Walnut, CA
Project Name: Gymnasium and Teen Center Renovation Project
Recipient Address: 21003 La Puente Road, Walnut, California, 91789
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding will update the city’s 20-year-old facility by replacing of all original HVAC units, skylights, and resurfacing of all lower roofs, flooring, paint, and furniture throughout the facility. Additionally, the funding will provide technological upgrades to the Teen Center to allow for enhanced homework assistance and acceptance of cashless payments throughout the facility, renovation of all facility restrooms, reception areas, and the Teen Center snack bar. The project is aligned to the City's General Plan and will provide an exceptional multi-function facility to Walnut and surrounding communities for generations to come.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works
Project Name: Heights Hopper Electric Buses and Charging Infrastructure
Recipient Address: 500 W. Temple St. STE 526 in Los Angeles, CA 90012
Amount Requested: $600,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used for the acquisition of two electric transit buses and charging infrastructure for the Heights Hopper Shuttle service, augmenting service range of two electric buses that have limited range. The project provides community shuttle service in the areas of Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the project will replace conventionally fueled vehicles with electric vehicles in support of the State's long-term greenhouse gas reduction plan. California Air Resources Board adopted the Innovative Clean Transit Regulation (ICT) in December 2018 and requires all public transit agencies to gradually transition to a 100 percent zero emission bus (ZEB) fleet. The project supports the County of Los Angeles Strategic Plan’s aim to ensure sustainability, and support a flexible, and integrated Multimodal Transportation System that improves mobility.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
Project Name: Wilson High School Media Center
Recipient Address: 15959 East Gale Ave. City Of Industry, CA 91745-1604
Amount Requested: $850,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used to upgrade Wilson High School Media Center with new flooring, lighting, fixture, equipment, and California doors. The Media Center is used by students for meetings, project work, for parent and community meetings. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this project will ensure the Media Center can continue to host community meetings and parent and community engagement in an improved setting, helping to make up for a lack of meeting space elsewhere in the community.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: Rio Hondo Community College
Project Name: Scenario-based Police Training Center
Recipient Address: 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whitter, California, 90601
Amount Requested: $1,840,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used to upgrade Rio Hondo Community College’s Scenario-Based Police Training virtual reality technology and equipment to provide recruits with the practical scenario-based training that will prepare them for a career in law enforcement. When required to perform in an emotionally charged, simulated setting that reflecting real law enforcement incidents, student cadets can safely learn from mistakes and improve their performance and responses. The training center would meet the needs of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as other public service agencies.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust
Project Name: San Gabriel Valley Project Pipeline
Recipient Address: 1333 S. Mayflower Avenue, Suite 360, Monrovia, CA 91016
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Project Description and Justification: The SGVRHT maintains the San Gabriel Valley Project Pipeline, a list of affordable and homeless housing projects in need of gap financing. The Pipeline currently has over 700 units of proposed affordable housing and 100 shelter beds. The SGVRHT is requesting Congressionally Directed Spending to provide capital funds to projects on the San Gabriel Valley Project Pipeline. CDS funds will have an immediate and long lasting impact on low income and unhoused households in the San Gabriel Valley.
The SGVRHT assists affordable housing project developers in leveraging other funds including California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC), Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF), Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), conventional loans and private equity. With an average per unit investment of $27,000, every dollar invested by the SGVRHT leverages $19 in additional funds. These funds would be used as capital funds for affordable housing projects. The funds may be used for land acquisition and/or construction costs. The SGVRHT currently lends at a rate of up to $50,000 per unit, meaning an investment of $5M in Community Project funds would provide 100 or more units of permanent affordable housing in the San Gabriel Valley.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.
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Recipient Name: YMCA of Greater Whittier
Project Name: Uptown Family Center Renovation
Recipient Address: 12510 Hadley Street, Whittier, CA 90601-3942
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Project Description and Justification: The funding would be used to make modifications to the 40-year-old building to improve accessibility, safety, and equity at the Y’s Uptown Family Center. The modifications will include renovations to its lobby, gymnasium, classrooms, children’s rooms, elevator, restrooms, parking lots, pathways, and related equipment and labor. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the Uptown Family Center is in a low-income priority area within the Department of Housing and Urban Development and serves more than 6,000 residents through its various programs and services on an annual basis. These modifications are needed to better serve the community through the accessibility of childcare and other services including our Food Program to provide food security to the members of our community through food availability, food access, and food use.
Disclosure Letter: Click here.