28-02-2025
Arvin holds community meeting, gifts $25 to attendees
ARVIN, Calif. (KGET) — Arvin residents gathered Thursday for a community meeting about a grant submission that would bring new developments, just two days after the city council was forced to cancel its regular meeting due to lack of quorum.
At Thursday's meeting, only one council member chose to show up.
'For a very long time, we've heard from community residents that they need housing, and housing that's affordable,' said Grants Manager Christine Viterelli. 'This is not only a crisis across the state, but it is a very serious crisis in the city of Arvin.'
The Affordable Housing Development proposed on 4th and Walnut streets would bring 51 new units. However, the Grand Jury report found no new developments can be made if the sewage pond is not fixed, a concern raised by a resident on Thursday's meeting.
Viterelli says that wouldn't interfere with these plans.
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'We received a grant to repair the treatment facility,' said Viterelli. 'Our hope is to get any of those issues resolved before the time the Affordable Housing complex is built.'
Other projects in this grant include bike lanes, improved sidewalks, bus stops with sheltering and expanding the transit route to Tejon. Plus, residents who attended got a surprise.
'The people who attended today got a small stipend,' said Viterelli. 'It's for participation and outreach, and it was $25 per participant.'
This went to Arvin residents only — no city employees or staff. The stipends will also be delivered at the next community meeting to the first 50 people who show up.
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