Santee Wins State Grant for Local Parks

The state announced today it has awarded the city of Santee a $117,450 grant that can be used to acquire land and develop a neighborhood park.
Santee was one of five cities in San Diego County to earn a grant under the Housing Related Parks Program administered by the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

"We’re excited because this grant will enable Santee to enhance the quality of life by building a park in one of our neighborhoods where it is needed the most," said Community Services Director Bill Maertz.

The purpose of the grant program is to reward cities and counties that provide new affordable housing units by awarding them funds to build parks in under-served neighborhoods.

Santee qualified for the grant because its Community Development Commission provided partial financing for the construction of a 48-unit affordable apartment complex called Cedar Creek, which was completed in 2010 at a cost of $14.1 million.

State Housing and Community Development Director Linn Warren applauded the 33 cities statewide that received $11.3 million in grants under the program.

"These local governments have demonstrated a commitment to affordable housing at a time when the housing market has proven to be a significant challenge for California families and low-wage workers," Warren said in a news release.