Community development funds continue to expand in San Mateo

During the previous fiscal year, which ended in June, San Mateo received $753,571, which went toward a number of initiatives in different categories.

“For example, with public services, we provided seven grants to seven agencies,” Housing Specialist Jennifer Mora said during a September City Council meeting. “With these seven agencies, we were able to serve 17,572 unduplicated individuals.”

The programs also include home repairs, food pantries, legal services and programs for abuse victims. The funds also supported economic development programs, including the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.

The CDBG budget has been steadily increasing, going from $808,595 in fiscal year 2022-23 to $1,045,580 this fiscal year. While budget uncertainty remains at the federal level, Community Development Director Zach Dahl said the city doesn’t have immediate concerns about a reduction in funds.

“We are continuing to monitor and track updated guidance and calibrate our responses accordingly. At this point, we are moving forward,” Dahl said during the council meeting. “We haven’t seen anything to indicate we won’t be getting our allocation, but we continue to monitor.”

The city also leverages state funds to leverage some of its other programs targeted at low-income families. Many cities’ recent housing elements — a document detailing a city’s plan to increase housing — include provisions to implement various housing-related programs, including rental assistance, as well as an anti-displacement strategy, aimed at strengthening tenant protections. In a recent report released by Stanford Law School’s Community Law Clinic, which partnered with Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, eviction filings in the county increased by 35% between 2019-23, with preliminary data suggesting 2024 will be even higher. Roughly 80% of the evictions were related to nonpayment of rent.

This summer, San Mateo approved a new emergency rental assistance pilot to provide up to $4,000 for roughly 37 households who make 60% or less of the county’s median income. The area median income is about $186,000 for a family of four in the county.