First-of-its-kind program in California awards 24 communities and tribes $1.15 million to study gaps in equitable transportation

Strong and diverse interest in the program’s inaugural year resulted in project funding for 14 different counties across the state

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Twenty-four California nonprofits, local governments, transit agencies, and Native American tribes in under-resourced communities were awarded up to $50,000 each by the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program (CMO) to conduct “Community Transportation Needs Assessments” that will help them to identify – and eventually address – transportation challenges faced by residents in their communities. See full list of awardees and project locations below.

“Across California, and especially in low-income communities and communities of color, people spend too much time and money getting from home to work, or just to do daily errands,” CARB Deputy Executive Officer Steve Cliff said. “The Clean Mobility Options Program elevates the role communities play, and allows them to lead the way in addressing their particular transportation issues — and ultimately finding solutions that work for them.”

The total amount of funds awarded for Community Transportation Needs Assessments is $1.15 million: $1 million was awarded to eligible disadvantaged communities with $150,000 set aside and awarded specifically to Native American tribes.

Clean mobility options designed by and for under-resourced communities will save residents money and improve public health.

• The poorest 20 percent of Americans spend more than 40 percent of their income on transportation, while those who make more than $70,000 per year only spend 13 percent.

• Ninety percent of Californians experience unhealthy air, but unequal exposure leads to drastically varied life expectancies that can swing by as much as 20 years between different zip codes.

• People of color disproportionately breathe this toxic pollution, contributing to higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other illnesses than their white counterparts.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

CMO is a statewide initiative that provides funding for zero-emission shared mobility options to under-resourced communities in California. CMO is available throughout California to eligible disadvantaged communities, as well as eligible low-income tribal and affordable-housing communities, to increase access to safe, reliable, convenient and affordable transportation options. For eligibility requirements, application information and to contact the technical assistance team, please visit: www.cleanmobilityoptions.org.

Awardees of the Community Transportation Needs Assessment funds submitted applications for projects to help them identify and understand the unmet mobility needs of their communities and develop solutions in collaboration with residents. Key elements of a Community Transportation Needs Assessment include analysis and engagement of the community through tools like surveys and virtual community events. See list of awardees below.

CMO also supports the implementation of shared clean mobility projects through Mobility Project Vouchers worth up to $1 million each. Of the total $21 million available for Clean Mobility Projects and Community Transportation Needs Assessments, up to $2.15 million is set aside specifically for tribes.

The application window for Mobility Project Vouchers opens on October 20, 2020 at 9:00am PT. Applications will be processed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Mobility Project Vouchers will fund bikesharing and scooter-sharing, zero-emission carsharing, carpooling and vanpooling, innovative transit services and ride-on-demand services. For complete application submission instructions visit the “How” section of the Application Materials page on the website.

COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT 2020 AWARDEES

(Listed in alphabetical order by lead applicant)

ActiveSGV, a project of Community Partners

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: El Monte, S. El Monte
• County: Los Angeles

Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Big Pine Indian Reservation^
• County: Iny

BikeVentura

• Awarded: $49,804
• Location: Oxnard
• County: Ventura

CHERP-Locally Grown Power

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Pomona
• County: Los Angeles

City of Fresno Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX)

• Awarded: $48,430
• Location: City of Fresno (Three Palms Mobile Home Park)
• County: Fresno

Community Resource Project

• Awarded: $49,970
• Location: Sacramento
• County: Sacramento

County of San Diego

• Awarded: $49,515
• Location: Spring Valley, San Diego (2 affordable housing properties)
• County: San Diego

Ecology Action

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Salinas
• County: Monterey

Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA)

• Awarded: $36,885
• Location: Biola*
• County: Fresno

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Del Rey, Firebaugh, Fowler, Kerman, Mendota, Parlier
• County: Fresno

Fresno Metro Ministry

• Awarded: $49,990
• Location: City of Fresno
• County: Fresno

Kern Council of Governments

• Awarded: $49,924
• Location: Tejon^, Tubatulabal^; Delano, McFarland ,Wasco, Shafter, Taft, Arvin,Buttonwillow*, Lamont*, Lake Isabella*, Bodfish*
• County: Kern

Native American Environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC)

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Manzanita Reservation^
• County: San Diego

Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Paskenta Reservation^
• County: Tehama

Porterville Unified School District

• Awarded: $48,802
• Location: Porterville
• County: Tulare

Riverside Community College District

• Awarded: $49,530
• Location: Riverside City College, Moreno Valley College, Norco College*
• County: Riverside

Sacramento Public Library

• Awarded: $49,800
• Location: South Sacramento (Southgate)*
• County: Sacramento

Social Good Fund/Regeneración Pajaro Valley

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Watsonville
• County: Santa Cruz

The Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy Institute (The LEAP Institute)~

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Kettleman City*
• County: Kings

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Pajaro*
• County: Monterey

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Mecca*
• County: Riverside

Urban Collaborative Project

• Awarded: $18,750
• Location: San Diego (Chollas View, Ocean View)
• County: San Diego

Western Riverside Council of Governments

• Awarded: $48,600
• Location: Moreno Valley, Corona, San Jacinto
• County: Riverside

Youth Transportation Organization (YOOTS)

• Awarded: $50,000
• Location: Richmond
• County: Contra Costa

*Unincorporated Area

^Tribal Area

~ Lead applicants representing unincorporated land can apply for up to three projects