Features
Affordable Housing
Services, Resources
| Resources Expand for Downpayments
Discover Steps to Homeownership thru City TV
Disaster Survival 101 Set
for May 7 | Defining Vision for Coastal
Property Not Clear Cut
On the Beat - Focus on
Alcohol Related Crimes
Rules Keep Front Yard Paving Consistent
ON THE HOUSING
FRONT...
Affordable Housing Services, Resources Outline Path
Leading to Homeownership
The road to homeownership can be challenging,
especially for non-English speakers and those on limited incomes. At the
City, we are committed to enhancing opportunities for all residents and
workers through a variety of programs and services, including downpayment
assistance, credit and debt counseling, financing opportunities and
one-on-one assistance.
Understanding that knowledge is key to homeownership, the City is
offering educational workshops describing techniques, resources and
available programs in both English and Spanish. We have secured more grant
programs to support low- and moderate-income households (see article on Page
2 for more details). And we have expanded our printed and online material
selections, in both English and Spanish.
Fortunately, we aren’t alone in this effort. We have teamed up with
dedicated community groups such as the Monterey County Housing Alliance (MoCHA)
so that additional resources and expertise are available, and more staff is
on hand to answer questions and guide community members through the housing
process. For example, area agencies, lenders and other business owners met
with interested homebuyers at the Housing Expo earlier this year to talk
about programs and services offered around the county.
We also plan to provide training to area agencies, who receive
funding from the City, to support outreach efforts specifically to
low-income and non-English speaking households. So look for more workshops,
community fairs and programs to come online.
For more details, call the Monterey County Housing Alliance (MoCHA)
at 757.4657 or the City’s Housing Office at 646.3995.
Hablamos español. La información está también disponible en
español en línea en
www.monterey.org/housing o llama para un folleto.
Resources Here for Downpayments
Securing a downpayment can
be the biggest obstacle in the quest for homeownership. Now, thanks to a new
funding source, there’s additional downpayment support for income eligible
Monterey community residents.
Simple-interest loans will be available to eligible first-time
homebuyers under the State’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
Individuals who work or live in the City will be able to apply for financial
assistance toward a downpayment on an affordable housing unit.
Another $100,000, as part of the American Dream Downpayment
Initiative, is also available for 2% simpleinterest loans toward closing
costs and downpayment costs. The maximum loan
for this program is $10,000, which will benefit a number of households.
Anyone interested in either program must attend homeownership
counseling sessions in order to receive support.
For more info on these and other opportunities, call 646.3995 or
visit us online at
www.monterey.org/housing
 Discover Steps to Homeownership thru Workshops
Airing on City TV
Connecting people with resources
and services leads to homeownership. To help community members learn more
about the process and what’s available in the community, the City will air a
series of educational workshops on City TV cable Ch. 25 this spring.
The programs cover tips and techniques for moving ahead. Learn more
about downpayment assistance, city and community programs and upcoming
housing development opportunities.
Or find info on credit/debt counseling, fair housing and financing options.
The sessions were originally presented at the Housing Expo held
earlier this year, so if you missed out, tune in for details. Programs are
scheduled to start airing in spring 2006, so look for info posted online and
through reports in the local media.
Hands-on, in-person workshops are also ongoing. For details, call
the Monterey County Housing Alliance (MoCHA) 757.4657 or the City’s Housing
Office at 646.3995.
Hablamos español.
Return to top
Disaster Survival 101 Set for May 7 - Mark it Down
Get prepared – learn what you
need to do to survive the next disaster.
Attend “Disaster Survival 101” on Sun., May 7, at Del Monte Center.
Learn survival tips and practices and find out more about your
responsibilities as a community member.
Public safety teams and other City staff members, along with local
relief agencies such as the Red Cross and SPCA, will be on hand to discuss
the necessary steps for getting prepared. Discover how to establish a family
safety plan; create a disaster kit; find available resources in your
neighborhood; and survive on your own for at least 72 hours without
assistance.
Activities for the entire family are scheduled. This fun-filled,
interactive event will feature public safety equipment demonstrations,
exhibit booths and prize drawings.
Stay tuned for updates in the local media or visit
www.monterey.org To participate
at the fair, call 646.3900 or visit the Web for more contact info.
 Defining
Vision for Coastal Property
Not Clear Cut
The future of the City-owned
waterfront parcel, currently home to private businesses Adventures by the
Sea and Monterey Bay Kayaks, continues to be the subject of much discussion
and review.
Since purchasing the East Catellus site along Del Monte Avenue, the
City has worked to develop an appropriate plan to ensure public beach
access, preserve open space and meet needs while improving the property’s
visual appearance.
Earlier this year, the City Council indicated strong support for
keeping the two private businesses along the beachfront while improving
views to the bay.In the next several months, staff will explore
opportunities to expand the Sea Scout Building, by a small amount, in order
to accommodate both businesses and remove the Monterey Bay Kayak building
from its prominent location next to Monterey Bay Waterfront Park.
Stay tuned for updates on this process posted online at
www.monterey.org and reviewed
through the local media.
ON THE BEAT...
Focus on Alcohol-Related Crimes
Concerted efforts to reduce
alcohol-related problems in our community are helping make Monterey an even
safer place.
Methods used to prevent and control such crimes include education,
undercover operations and roadway checkpoints. For example, police operated
three driving under the influence (DUI) and driver license checkpoints last
year alone. On average, 2,400 vehicles passed through the checkpoints and
some 600 drivers were randomly selected. The checkpoints netted several DUI
arrests and many citations for driving with a suspended license or no
license at all. A grant from the State supported these efforts.
Also, this last winter, we worked with the State’s Alcohol Beverage
Control (ABC) Dept. to visit local businesses permitted to sell alcohol and
make sure they are following proper proof-of-age procedures. An underage
agent visited stores and nightclubs attempting to buy alcohol. Out of the 22
places visited, 11 businesses sold alcohol to the minor. Criminal citations
were issued to the individuals who sold the alcohol, and ABC will assess
penalties against the businesses.
Since many calls for police service are related to alcohol use,
techniques to deter drunk driving, the sale of alcohol to minors and
underage drinking are important components of our public safety program.
Merchants interested in receiving training on employee
responsibilities and identification of fake ID cards should contact Public
Education Officer Eric Stidham at 646.3819 or send an email to
stidham@ci.monterey.ca.us
Rules Keep Front Yard Paving Consistent
 Paving your front yard? Fifty
percent (50%) coverage is the limit.
In order to preserve residential character in our single-family
neighborhoods, our zoning ordinance states that residents cannot pave more
than 50% of their front yard. At the behest of several neighborhood
associations, this ordinance was adopted in early 2004 and also ensures that
driveways are not expanded by more than 10 feet in width. As a result,
there’s space for planters and landscaped areas.
Before you consider paving or cementing that yard, check with the
Planning Division at
646.3885 (www.monterey.org/commdevelop).
It is easier to design a project to conform to standard (example pictured)
than remove excessive pavement after it has been installed.
Return to top
|
