VOP: Habitat For Humanity by Darcy McNaboe - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events

VOP: Habitat For Humanity

By Darcy McNaboe,
August 3, 2016 at 01:20pm. Views: 129

GRAND TERRACE>> Thank you Mr. O'Neil for the opportunity to provide some history and information regarding the Habitat Homes. Although recently Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the construction of two single family homes on Michigan Street, it has been almost six years since the Grand Terrace Redevelopment Agency conveyed the land to Habitat. The land was conveyed before State Legislation dissolved Redevelopment Agencies. As part of the law governing Redevelopment Agencies (RDA), 20 percent of Redevelopment funds were set aside for affordable housing. The land on Michigan at the time of purchase was a blighted property; an eyesore that negatively affected property value of all the neighboring homes. The land was purchased by the RDA with affordable housing money. Habitat single family homes meet the low/moderate housing criteria while helping to satisfy the state mandated goals for city affordable housing. Single family homes were considered a better fit for that location than multi-family housing. If the city council were to have followed Mr. O'Neil's suggestion to sell the land and using proceeds for increased law enforcement that would have been a misappropriation of money designated for affordable housing. It is against state law to spend affordable housing funds on any general fund expenses, such as public safety. The planned homes will be assessed for property tax at market home prices - approximately $350,000 each, the investment in this land and the partnering with Habitat for the building of affordable housing will ultimately provide more property tax for the community through the city's general fund and provide increased home values for the neighbors. The city is experiencing an encouraging financial situation which is projected to continue. The position has allowed the city, to increase law enforcement and to complete various one-time city maintenance programs. This fiscal year, the city council voted to pay off the mortgage held on City Hall, saving the city budget approximately $180,000/year in interest. Please contact me for more specifics about the City's encouraging current financial situation in more detail than this space allows. I look forward to working alongside community members to build these two new homes. Darcy McNaboe, Mayor City of Grand Terrace

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Dr. April Clay

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 893

“When we support parents, we support children,” says Dr. April Clay, LMFT.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:13am. Views: 1299

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra celebrates its founding in style with a Roaring Twenties-themed gala fundraiser on October 17 at 5p.m. The orchestra invites supporters to celebrate the community, music, and legacy it has built over nearly a century.

Photo Courtesy of: Colton Joint Unified School District

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 770

Music students at Colton High School will soon enjoy a larger space with more storage, practice rooms, better acoustics and better space for creating, learning and performing. Construction on the Buildings is Set to Start in 2027

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:05am. Views: 1464

State, Local Education Leaders Highlight Nearly $162 Million in CalKIDS Scholarships Available to San Bernardino County Students.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 1198

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:28pm. Views: 1263

San Bernardino Drug Take Back Day 2026, prescription medication disposal, San Bernardino Police Department, October 24, medication safety, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Community collection efforts offer families a convenient way to remove unwanted prescription drugs from their homes while promoting public safety and protecting the environment.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI-generated illustrations

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:24pm. Views: 662

Long before modern freeways reshaped the Inland Empire, the railroad helped establish San Bernardino as a transportation center. Trains brought passengers, goods, workers and new business opportunities into the region, connecting a growing Southern California community with destinations across the country.

Photo Courtesy of: California Historical Society Collection, USC Libraries Special Collections.

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:22pm. Views: 816

As Redlands continues to grow, its surviving citrus groves offer a living connection to the industry that shaped the city's neighborhoods, economy and identity. Orange trees heavy with fruit line a grove in Redlands around 1900, with snow-covered Mount San Bernardino visible in the distance. The photograph documents the citrus industry that played a central role in the city's early development.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:19pm. Views: 2097

The City of Redlands will host Plane-or-Treat at Redlands Municipal Airport on October 25, featuring trick-or-treating, entertainment and family activities. An AI-generated illustration

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 1044

Festive University of Redlands Homecoming celebration, with alumni, students, and families gathered on campus wearing maroon Bulldogs apparel. A bulldog mascot greets attendees while cheerleaders and a marching band perform near decorated tents and balloons, with university buildings and mountains in the background.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 864

Moreno Valley is preparing to celebrate one of Mexico's most meaningful cultural traditions with an evening dedicated to remembrance, family and community.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 697

Moreno Valley Unified School District is continuing its parent education efforts with an October workshop focused on social-emotional learning, positive behavior and bullying prevention.

--> -->