Help Shape Helendale’s Future

Proposed Community Resilience Center

Helendale Community Services District is applying for funding through the Strategic Growth Council's Community Resilience Centers Grant Program to explore development of a Community Resilience Center for Helendale.

The District is seeking up to $10 million in State grant funding for the project.

Funding has not been awarded, the final project design has not been determined. Most importantly, submitting an application does not obligate the District to construct the project.

Community input is an important part of this process and will continue beyond the grant application deadline.

Take the Community Survey

Tell us what resources, services and features you believe would be most useful to our community — and what concerns you may have.

What Is a Community Resilience Center?

A Community Resilience Center, or CRC, is a community-serving facility designed to help residents during emergency situations such as extreme heat, power outages, poor air quality and other climate-related emergencies while also providing useful programs and services throughout the year.

During an emergency, a CRC may provide things such as:

• Heating, cooling and clean-air refuge
• Backup power and emergency communication capability
• Emergency shelter and evacuation support when necessary
• Food preparation, storage and distribution capability
• Access to drinking water
• Showers and hygiene facilities
• Pet-support capability
• Refrigeration for temperature-sensitive medications
• Emergency supplies and information

Final emergency procedures and equipment will be developed during project planning and in accordance with applicable requirements.

Why Is HCSD Applying?

Helendale is a rural community with limited access to many services available in larger cities.

Residents may experience extreme summer temperatures, power outages and public safety power shutoffs, poor air quality, and significant distances to medical and other essential services.

The CRC grant provides an opportunity to compete for State funding to create a facility that could strengthen Helendale’s ability to respond to emergencies while also providing useful community resources throughout the year.

What Could the CRC Include?

The project is still being developed.

Potential indoor uses may include:

• A flexible community space for events and emergencies
• Heating, cooling and clean-air space
• Senior, youth and community programming
• Education and job-training opportunities
• Computer and technology access
• Telehealth or health-and-wellness space
• Food-support infrastructure, including refrigeration and space for food preparation, storage and emergency food distribution
• Showers and hygiene facilities for emergencies
• Emergency supplies and equipment storage
• Recreation and community-use areas

Potential outdoor improvements may include:

• Accessible walking paths
• Shade
• Outdoor gathering areas
• Landscaping
• Community food-growing features
• Emergency distribution areas
• Other amenities identified through continued community engagement and final design

These are potential features, not a final list.

Final facility configuration, equipment, amenities and programming would be refined through continued community engagement, professional design, applicable regulatory requirements and coordination with the State.

What About Long-Term Costs?

Long-term operations and maintenance are an important part of evaluating this project.

Before moving forward with implementation, HCSD will evaluate anticipated staffing, maintenance, utilities, insurance, programming and other long-term operating costs and identify a sustainable approach for operating the facility.

The District does not want to build a facility that the community cannot reasonably sustain.

These considerations will be part of the project evaluation and planning process if HCSD is selected for funding.

Will Everyone Be Allowed to Use the CRC?

The State CRC program requires funded centers to be open and accessible to the public and to provide year-round community programs and services.

The grant guidelines do not require HCSD to operate the facility as an unrestricted homeless or transient shelter, nor do they specifically state that identification can never be required.

Detailed operating policies, emergency procedures, facility rules and use guidelines have not yet been developed. Those policies would be established as the project moves through planning and development and would need to comply with grant requirements and applicable law.

Is This Already a Done Deal?

No.

HCSD is applying for grant funding so Helendale has the opportunity to compete for State funds.

Submitting the application does not mean:

• The grant has been awarded
• Every proposed feature has been approved
• The final building design has been completed
• The District has committed to constructing the project exactly as currently envisioned

If HCSD is selected for funding, the project would move through additional State review, planning and pre-development before full implementation.

The District will also continue evaluating community input, project scope, operating costs and long-term sustainability before making final commitments.

Does Community Input End When the Grant Is Submitted?

No.

Community engagement does not end when the application is submitted.

If HCSD is selected for funding, the State’s CRC process includes additional project development and a Pre-Development Phase before full implementation. Continued community engagement can be used to help refine project plans during that process.

That means community feedback may help shape:

• Facility design
• Amenities
• Equipment
• Programs and services
• Outdoor features
• Emergency operations
• Long-term operating considerations

For example, if residents strongly support a particular emergency capability but have concerns about a specific piece of equipment or amenity, that feedback can be considered as the project is refined.

Applying for this grant preserves Helendale’s opportunity to compete for funding it does not guarantee funding, nor does it mean that Helendale CSD has to accept the funding if awarded.

We Want to Hear From You

Whether you support the idea, oppose it, have concerns or simply have suggestions, we want to hear from you.

Community feedback helps the District understand what residents want from the project — and what they do not want.

Ways to Participate

Take the Community Survey

[TAKE THE SURVEY]

Send Us a Comment or Question

Email: CVermette@helendalecsd.org

You may also provide comments directly to HCSD staff or participate in future community engagement opportunities.

When submitting comments, please feel free to tell us:

• What you would like the CRC to provide
• What you do not want included
• What concerns you have
• What would make the project more useful to you
• Whether you support or oppose the project

All perspectives are welcome.

Grant Dependent — Not a Done Deal

HCSD believes it is worthwhile to explore this funding opportunity while also making sure the project reflects the needs, priorities and concerns of the Helendale/Silver Lakes community.

Applying for the grant gives Helendale the opportunity to compete for funding. Community input will continue to help determine what the project should ultimately become.