The Los Angeles community of Watts was awarded a $35 million grant Monday to help fight climate change from the California Strategic Growth Council, funded by California’s Cap-and-Trade Program.

The grant was among $140 million that was given to Watts, Fresno and Ontario to fund 45 climate projects.

Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, who represents the Watts area, said on Twitter that the funds “will fund development & infrastructure projects that achieve major environmental, health, & economic benefits for our community.”

The awards are part of the first year of the Transformative Climate Communities Program, which invests in projects that achieve major environmental, health and economic benefits in disadvantaged California communities impacted by pollution.

The TCC program is administered by the Strategic Growth Council, in coordination with the Department of Conservation and other state agencies and departments.

“Our cap-and-trade investments are having a positive impact on disadvantaged communities throughout California,” SGC Council member and CalEPA Secretary Matt Rodriquez said.

“What makes TCC special is that it concentrates resources on our most disadvantaged communities, and combines a variety of approaches into one integrated, community-led program with the potential for truly transformative impact.”

The $35 million grant for the Watts neighborhood will fund the construction of affordable homes as part of the Jordan Downs redevelopment, new green spaces, plans to improve home energy efficiency and renewable energy use, local workforce development and an expansion of the “Safe Passage Program” which will improve safety for children walking to school.

“The TCC grant created bridges between organizations where there were none before and initiated conversations in the community that led to organic and natural collaborations,” said Jenny Scanlin, director of Development Services at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, which was the lead applicant on the Watts proposal.

“We are already a stronger community because of TCC and look forward to the next phase of implementation.”

–City News Service

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