Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) has announced that nearly $9 million in federal funds for projects in the San Fernando Valley have been passed by the House of Representatives.

“These funds will address community needs across the Valley, including improvements to our public parks, funds for at risk youth, additional resources to address homelessness, and additional support to aid in our recovery from the COVID pandemic,” Sherman said.

“I am pleased that these priorities have passed through the House, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to finalize this important funding for our community.”

“Representative Sherman has always been the tip of the spear when it comes to fighting for federal funding that invests in our communities directly,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

“Thanks to his tireless advocacy, the City will be able to make much needed improvements to several of our most beloved city parks and community spaces – enhancing the quality of people’s lives, promoting healthier futures, and creating new opportunities for our residents.”

The House reached a historic bipartisan omnibus appropriations agreement for the American people, which included ten community projects requested by Sherman.

1. Sepulveda Basin Community Room – City of Los Angeles

The funding would be used for a community room and ranger station with public restrooms and are part of a larger, 30-acre project that will include construction of four multi-purpose sports fields, lighting, irrigation, stadium/bleacher seating, concessions, paths, native landscaping, and active transportation connections to the Orange Line and National Park Service trail system (designated along LA River) to accommodate expanded public recreational use on approximately 30 acres west of the existing Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex.

Amount — $3 million.

2. Homeless Services Community Project — Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission

Provides funding to one of the leading Valley providers of services to the homeless. Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission is a nonprofit rescue mission that works to prevent, reduce, and eliminate poverty, hunger and homelessness and provides services for unhoused individuals seeking supportive housing services.

Amount — $2 million.

3. Basic Essentials for Infants and Children — Baby2Baby

The funding would be used for expansion to reach 120,000 to 300,000 children living in poverty by removing the challenges that have prevented access to providing basic essentials for the most underserved, impoverished and remote communities in the San Fernando Valley.

Amount — $1 million.

4. Center for a Healthy Community, Winnetka Clinic — El Proyecto del Barrio

The funding would be used for the Center for a Healthy Community which serves both the Winnetka and Northridge community offering dental services and women’s specialty care. Will build six dental examination rooms and six new women’s specialty exam rooms.

Amount — $1 million.

5. Post-Pandemic Child Mental Health Care — CSUN — Strength United

The funding would be used for addressing the long-term mental health needs of Valley children arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amount — $1 million.

6. COVID Relief — Labor Community Services of Los Angeles

The funding would be used for providing food at food pantries and large-scale food distributions to families and individuals and emergency rental/mortgage and utilities assistance to those who have immediate needs.

Amount — $362,000.

7. Park Improvements to Warner Center — City of Los Angeles

The funding would be used for improvements to the Warner Center Park. Warner Center Park is a popular destination for San Fernando Valley recreators but much of the park receives little to no shade throughout the day, including the exercise area and the outdoor stage. Funding will improve the site of the free Summer Sunday Concerts sponsored by the Valley Cultural Foundation.

Amount — $250,000.

8. Community Computer & Technology Lab Restoration & Upgrade — New Directions for Youth

The funding would be used for upgrading and updating the Community Computer and Technology Lab by providing 25 new computers, accessories, and workstations. New Directions for Youth provides a range of diverse services and programs to meet the complex needs of at-risk youth and their families.

Amount — $125,000.

9. Restoring Land to Reduce Fire Risk — Tree People

The funding would be used for restoring land to reduce fire risk at Aliso Canyon and O’Melveny Park. The northern end of the Aliso Canyon wash was impacted by the Sesnon Fire in 2008. Aliso Canyon and O’Melveny Park were both impacted by the Saddleridge Fire in October of 2019.

Amount — $750,000.

10. Business Technical Assistance Program — The Valley Economic Alliance

The funding would be used for offering critical business assistance services designed to retain jobs in the San Fernando Valley.

Amount — $138,000.