Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) announced the inclusion of $9,093,000 in funding for community projects in California’s 34th Congressional District in the Appropriations funding package for Fiscal Year 2022. Congressman Gomez secured this funding for nine projects, including the L.A. River Ecosystem Restoration P3 Pilot Project, Highland Park Youth Arts Center Renovation project, White Memorial Medical Center’s Catheterization Laboratory Expansion project, Community Cooling Boyle Heights project, Ramona Gardens Natural Park project, Pico Union Labor Training and Mutual Aid Center project, Project SOAR, Para Los Niños Youth Workforce Services project, and for affordable housing in Chinatown.

Congressman Gomez also secured $20 million in federal funding for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, a 100 percent increase over the FY2021 enacted level, as well as $30 million for School-Based Health Centers, a $25 million increase from FY2021. These provisions were included in the omnibus package passed by the House and will go to the Senate and then to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

“I am thrilled to announce $9,093,000 in Community Project Funding for California’s 34^th Congressional District for FY22. From providing life-saving medical equipment to building affordable housing, this funding will play a critical role in addressing inequities exacerbated by COVID-19 and help underserved communities recover from the pandemic,” said Congressman Gomez. “I am also pleased to announce $20 million for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program and $30 million for School-Based Health Centers. These investments will make a real difference in the lives of so many in our community.”

Rep. Gomez championed funding for nine projects that will directly benefit CA-34 residents:

• The L.A. River Ecosystem Restoration P3 Pilot Project will receive $1,693,000 to help improve the river’s recreational opportunities and wildlife ecosystems and the public health of surrounding communities.
  
• The County of Los Angeles will receive $1,500,000 to develop 100 units of affordable housing in Chinatown near local transportation hubs, markets, and various support services.
  
• White Memorial Medical Center will receive $1,200,000 to help expand their Catheterization Laboratory for a range of diagnostic and lifesaving procedures.
  
• The City of Los Angeles will receive $1,000,000 to help refurbish the Highland Park Youth Arts Center and $1,000,000 to install cooling elements to local streets in Boyle Heights for urban cooling, urban greening, and pedestrian and public health improvements.
  
• Legacy LA will receive $950,000 for the Ramona Gardens Natural Park project, which will transform four acres of underused land into a new open space park that is designed as an anti-pollution green buffer.
  
• The Miguel Contreras Foundation will receive $750,000 to acquire and develop a blighted building in Pico Union into a Labor Training and Mutual Aid Center for dislocated workers.
  
• The Southern California College Access Network will receive $650,000 for Project SOAR which will help fund their college and career advising support services to residents in public housing.
  
• Para Los Niños will receive $350,000 to improve their youth workforce services by hiring four new career advisors to help with case management, education and employment support, leadership development, post-secondary education preparation, and additional supportive services for their students.
  

"“Representative Gomez has always made sure that our federal dollars go directly to projects that lift up Angelenos with the greatest needs," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “His hard work has provided important investments that will inject new opportunity and prosperity directly into our communities — and create safe places to empower young people, protect our residents from climate change, and create a higher quality of life for generations to come.”

“Congressman Jimmy Gomez is a long standing partner with the children youth and families of Los Angeles," said Drew Furedi, President & Chief Executive Officer of Para Los Niños. "Para Los Niños is honored to be part of his work to uplift communities and help our most vulnerable youth reach their full potential. This funding will support the work our Youth Workforce Services and Mental Health Support Services teams do each day for over 2,000 youth, ages 14-24, to help them reach their goals academically, personally, and in their careers. Especially in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, our youth need our support and investment more than ever.”