North Richmond residents have a vision for an optimal community — affordable housing, open, green space, youth activities, neighbor camaraderie, freshly landscaped parkways, parks, and greenways, essential services, community businesses, infrastructure, a master green plan, and an accessible, kempt shoreline.
Given the residents’ vision for the community, I recently asked if North Richmond is a line item in the county budget. Here is the response from the county.
The short answer is no.
Contra Costa County Supervisor Gioia
North Richmond is not a line item on the county budget. The county funds services and programs via departments. The departments deploy services as requested by constituents in the county.
Supervisor Gioia went on to relay that the tax base in North Richmond is lower than most parts of the county, but we work diligently with community-based organizations and county staff to apply for grants to improve infrastructure and services.
Gioia goes on to list the following as North Richmond-related investments in the works:
- North Richmond Farm
- Safe Routes to School
- An Active Transportation Program Grant
- First Mile, Last Mile
- Grocery store
- Las Deltas Housing
- Shields-Reid Center Renovation (City of Richmond leading
- Living Levee Project
He also mentioned that North Richmond has a health clinic and a family services center. (It would be great to hear from these places, so we know what services they provide.)
So, there you have it. The response gives a glimpse of where grant funding is going so far.
Based on the community vision, we can see the areas that we need to shore up.
Be part of the solution.
Here’s an opportunity to be a part of community resolutions.