SACRAMENTO - The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) today announced $98.6 million is available for the first round of funding for the Community Resilience Centers program. The investment is part of $270 million in total funding from the state to support the planning and construction of neighborhood-serving ‘community resilience centers’ that can protect people from extreme heat and other climate-driven extreme weather and build community preparedness.
As hazards like wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and power outages are increasingly longer lasting and more frequent in California, community resilience centers are a part of California’s Climate Adaptation Strategy and Extreme Heat Action Plan and funded through Governor California $48 billion combined Climate and Extreme Heat budget packages signed into law over the last several years. Once constructed, resilience centers will serve as hubs to distribute resources and critical information during climate events and support social connectedness and community climate solutions through programming year-round.
What Governor Newsom said: “California is taking swift action to combat the climate crisis and protect Californians from extreme heat and other climate-driven extremes. These resilience centers are yet another tool we’re using to save lives and adapt to our new climate reality.”
"We're thrilled to see the launch of California's Community Resilience Center Program. The program is rooted in a community-led vision to transform trusted neighborhood spaces like youth centers, recreation centers, health clinics and libraries into climate resilience hubs that are resourced and ready to support entire communities in times of disaster,” said Shina Robinson, Resilience Hub Manager for the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN). “Community Resilience Centers are part of developing collective responses to disasters - responses that benefit entire neighborhoods and communities, not just individual households. For some communities, a resilience hub might include backup power to refrigerate medicines and charge devices during power shutoffs. For others it could be a place to breathe clean air during refinery fires or wildfires or cool down on extreme heat days while accessing culturally competent programs, vital resources, and in-language trainings."
SGC’s Community Resilience Centers emphasize the use of trusted sites and establishment of community-led governance processes to ensure facilities and programming are uniquely responsive to residents and their needs. Additionally, the program prioritizes energy resilience, including renewable energy generation and storage, electrification, and efficiency solutions to advance the deployment of these technologies in communities facing differential access to clean energy infrastructure.
“Community resilience centers are an important strategy to support under-resourced communities who already face challenges weathering and adjusting to climate impacts,” said Lynn von Koch-Liebert, Executive Director of the California Strategic Growth Council. “We’re thrilled to announce this first round of funding, which is designed to give community leaders a space and place to increase resilience in their communities.”
Community resilience centers grants will support projects statewide and prioritize under-resourced communities including tribal nations, unincorporated communities, and rural communities. Applications from priority populations will benefit from state technical assistance to ensure equitable access to program funding.
Media Contact
Agustin Arreola, (916) XXX-XXXX
agustin.arreola@opr.ca.gov
About the California Strategic Growth Council
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is a 10-member council comprised of seven state agencies and three public members with the mission to build healthy, thriving, and resilient communities for all. Funded through California’s Cap and Trade system and the California General Fund, SGC’s grant programs, strategic initiatives, and interagency coordination focus on multi-benefit and community-centric solutions at the nexus of climate and equity. Since 2008, SGC has invested over $3.5 billion in projects strengthening communities and addressing climate change.