Ontario Together is a community-driven movement to achieve measurable and sustainable neighborhood transformation through innovative implementation of GHG reduction projects.
Ontario Together
This proposal will cultivate a slate of community-identified activities that have been woven together in a robust program to equitably build upon the strengths of our community and will advance long-term solutions.
Through a collaborative, community-based governance structure, we will implement projects which add affordable housing, integrate a network of pedestrian/bicycle facilities with high quality public transportation options, increase energy conservation, enhance food security, and create high quality, green jobs.
In challenging epistemic ideas of “disadvantaged” communities, this proposal will foster a thriving, resilient community, built to succeed in California’s green economy.
Project Area Map
To see a map of the project area, please click here.
Links
Tracking Groundbreaking Climate Action
What is the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Grant?
The TCC is a new Cap-and-Trade funded grant program from the state of California. The grant program intends to transform eligible communities through investment in specified capital projects and programs such as affordable housing, transportation improvements, and urban forestry.
Has the TCC funding already been allocated?
Yes. In this first year of the program, three cities were selected for funding: Los Angeles, Fresno, and Ontario. The grant for Ontario is $35 million. Our application included a slate of projects which will use the full $33.25 million.
What are the TCC projects and where will they be?
The TCC projects will be implemented within a 5 square mile “project area” centered in Euclid Avenue and Holt Boulevard in downtown.
- Affordable Housing – Vista Verde Apartments, a 101 unit housing development set to open in October 2020, on Holt Boulevard just west of Grove Avenue with 69 2-bedroom and 32 3-bedroom units for affordable housing development serving households with 30% to 60% AMI. For more information please see the FAQ “How do I apply for affordable housing development?”
- Active Transportation – a 5 mile dedicated bicycle/pedestrian facility on Mission Boulevard; an adaptive re-use of the historic Fallis House into a “Downtown Mobility Hub” for bicycle parking/training/repair; a multiuse trail along Grove Avenue (North of Holt Boulevard); sidewalk gap closures; and significant crosswalk installations on Euclid Avenue and Holt Boulevard.
- Omnitrans Bus Service Enhancements – improvement of Route 83 service (on Euclid Avenue) to 30 minute frequency; the installation of premium bus shelters in and around downtown; installation of real-time bus service electronic displays in new/existing bus shelters; modification of Route 86 routing to Bon View Avenue to include stops at Baldy View ROP and Dorothy A. Quesada Community Center. Route 83 Service improvement will begin in May of 2020.
- Urban Forestry – 365 trees to be planted in downtown and along bicycle facilities.
- Low Income Weatherization – creation of “Ontario Shines” program with non-profit partner GRID Alternatives to install solar panels on up to 100 “single-family homes” and include solar installations at various multi-family housing sites including the new development, Vista Verde. Remove cool roofs and change to “provide any necessary improvements to make homes solar ready.
- Green/Food Waste Diversion Program – creation of the new “Ontario Carbon Farm” where non-profit partner Huerta del Valle Community Garden will take green/food waste generated within the city and convert it to high quality compost.
- Workforce Development / Small Business Support – the establishment of a San Bernardino County Workforce Development satellite office in downtown, along with small business support program through the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center located on Euclid Avenue.
- Health and Well-being – augmentation of education programs through the Healthy Ontario Initiative to provide the community with information on healthy lifestyles as well as opportunities to engage in cardiovascular and leadership building activities.
When will all of these projects/programs start?
All projects and programs must be fully constructed and implemented within five years. The Affordable Housing project has already broken ground with many more of the projects to break ground within this year (Downtown Mobility Hub, Grove Avenue Multiuse Trail, Crosswalk Installations). Several of the programs (Ontario Shines, Workforce Development, Small Business Support, Omnitrans Bus Service Improvements) will begin service this year as well.
How do I apply for affordable housing development?
For more information regarding the TCC Funded Vista Verde Apartments, please contact virginiaholt@nationalcore.org
For more information regarding the leverage funded Emporia Place Apartments, please visit www.emporiaplace.com
How do I apply for home solar?
“The City has partnered with GRID Alternatives to provide free home solar to 100 qualified low-income homeowners. Applications are now being accepted. To qualify, homeowners must reside in the TCC project area and meet specific household income requirements. To see if your home is located in the project area, please click here. For more information regarding the requirements and application process, please contact GRID at 866-921-4696 or visit their website at www.gridalternatives.org.”
Who may I contact for more information regarding any of these projects?
Please contact the Housing Department at (909) 395-2006.
What is workforce development?
Through partnership with the County of San Bernardino, the City has budgeted TCC funds to provide the project area with a Full-Time Workforce Development Specialist (WDS). The WDS is responsible for implementing comprehensive strategies to meet the needs of local businesses for a skilled workforce, while creating opportunities for workers to prepare for and enter into well paid careers. For more information and assistance regarding workforce development, please visit our WDS at the Ovitt Family Community Library located at 215 E C Street, Ontario, CA 91764. (909) 395-2497 | www.sbcounty.gov/workforce.
What additional investment other than TCC is being made in the Project Area?
Emporia Place Apartments – 75 unit affordable housing development located at the corner of Fern and Vine. For more information regarding this project, please visit www.emporiaplace.com
Promise Scholars project area-specific scholarship program – under the Workforce Development Plan, the City is partnering with the Ontario Montclair School District to create a project-area specific scholarship program for students. More information regarding this program is set to be released at a later date.
Future Communities Pilot Program – The City of Ontario was awarded $418,000 through the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Future Community Pilot Program. The funding will support a series of integrated pilot projects designed to bring smart city applications to the downtown area, including a physical space – a hub – where community members, local companies, and government agencies can access technology and data to better address issues and needs in the city and explore new innovation opportunities. For more information regarding this program, please read the official Ontario press release: https://www.ontarioca.gov/press-releases/ontario-partnership-accelerate-southern-californias-smart-city-efforts
GOALS
HEALTH – Healthy Air, Healthy Food, Safe & Active Transportation, Safe & Affordable Housing
PROSPERITY – Access to Job Training & Careers
GHG REDUCTION – Reduce Greenhouse Gases
STRATEGIES
Equitable Housing & Neighborhood Development
Enhanced Transit Access & Mobility
Convert to Decarbonized Energy / Efficiency
Divert Waste through Materials Management
Expand Urban Greening / Infrastructure
Improved Health & Well-being
Workforce Development & Education
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AHSCAffordable Housing & Sustainable Communities including a 101 unit Affordable Housing Development as well as public transportation and pedestrian/bicycle improvements |
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LCTOPLow Carbon Transit Operations including bus passes for project area residents, transit training, and headway improvements to Omnitrans Route 83 |
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Urban ForestryUrban Community Forestry including planting 365 trees, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in urban center, increasing the City’s Urban Forest canopy |
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LIWPLow-Income Weatherization Program including installing solar on affordable multi-family housing, installing solar PV systems for low-income homeowners |
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OrganicsGreen/Food Waste Diversion Program including a Carbon Farm, agricultural job training, and the expansion of organic, affordable fresh food production |
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ATPActive Transportation Program including bicycle & pedestrian improvements on Mission Blvd & San Antonio Ave, crosswalk installations & sidewalk improvements throughout downtown |
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JobsHigh Quality Job Creation & Workforce Development including downtown Makerspace, small business Incubator space, educational and job opportunities |
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HealthHealth & Well-being including Healthy Ontario Initiative to engage community, utilize health hubs, educate and equip residents for healthy lifestyles |