Congresswoman Simon Brings Over $14 Million Home to the East Bay for Affordable Housing, AmeriCorps Programs, Airport Resiliency Projects, and Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This past month, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) announced a number of grants totaling over $14.6 million in federal funding for projects to create more affordable housing and safer communities, senior and youth community programming, and infrastructure upgrades in California’s 12th Congressional District.
The Oakland International Airport will receive $14 million in funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to modernize infrastructure and ensure the airport can withstand seismic events, including earthquakes. Members of the National NeighborWorks network will receive $174,000 in funding for revitalizing and sustaining safe neighborhoods and for projects that will help lower the cost of housing. A research project to develop software that will optimize the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the University of California, Berkeley will receive a $50,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) award. And lastly, AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions programs in Oakland will receive nearly $380,000 to provide support for seniors and mentorship for children and youth in need.
“I’m excited to announce over $14.6 million in federal funding for a variety of projects around the district. It is a top priority of mine to tangibly improve day-to-day life in our district and bring resources back to CA-12, an ever-increasing challenge amidst Trump’s nationwide funding cuts.
“Increasing access to affordable housing, fostering safe and vibrant communities and supporting our seniors and youth are all vitally important to the fabric of our communities in the East Bay. And, as we all experience the effects of climate-change, investing in our infrastructure and funding electric vehicle research could not be more important, so that we are prepared and can shift towards a cleaner, more energy efficient future.
“At a time when the Trump Administration is cutting federal funds across the board – I welcome these recent funding notices, and I will continue fighting to ensure that institutions and organizations in CA-12 receive the federal funds they deserve.”