Williams gets senior housing grant

The city got the heads up in November, and now it is official.

The state Department of Housing and Community Development announced this week that Williams will be getting $3.1 million in federal funding to help finance a $10 million senior housing project in the east side of town.

Williams was one of six cities, including Biggs and Santa Cruz County, that will divide $20.9 million in funds from HOME Investment Partnership Program.

The block grant goes from the federal agency to the state, which then distributes to cities and counties for use in supporting construction of low- and very-low income housing and similar kinds of projects.

"These awards assist California communities to address their continuing housing needs," HCD acting Director Cathy E. Creswell said in a statement.

"HOME funds help struggling families and workers afford housing in their communities by creating new, safe and sound housing that improves and strengthens neighborhoods."

Williams will loan the grant funds to Pacific West of Los Angeles, which has proposed to build a 48-unit senior housing project at the corner of E and Margurite streets.

If all goes well, city officials said the project will break ground this year and be completed sometime in 2013.

Pacific West has already submitted architectural drawings for the project with the city.

The senior housing project is just one element of the overall economic development plan the city has for the east side of town.

The new center will be located near the Woodland Community College campus, and not far from existing commercial and residential development on the east side of Interstate 5.

However, the real goal is to attract job-rich industry to the area.

Williams was awarded the funding on its second try for the grant.