If approved by the City Council next week, three Raleigh-based nonprofits will be receiving city funding.
Members of the Budget and Economic Development committee Tuesday approved Community Enhancement grant funding for Green Chair, Step-Up Ministries and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.
Last summer, Councilors awarded grants to seven organizations. Councilors asked that staff find additional funding so that more grants could be awarded.
Green Chair was awarded $35,000. Community Development Director Michele Grant said that Green Chair would have been eligible for funding during the previous round, but an error on the city’s end cut the organization from the running.
Green Chair will use the funding to provide furnishings and household items to residents who are transitioning from temporary to permanent housing. This is the first time the organization has received city funding.
Step-Up Ministries was awarded about $16,000 in order to provide job training and placement, counseling, life skills training and academic tutoring.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle was also awarded about $16,000 for its culinary jobs training program. The program includes a paid internship.
The full Council will need to finalize the funding at its meeting next week.
Land for Sale
The Community Development Department will be releasing a request for proposal for a series of vacant lots at 417 Alston St., 405 Camden St., 805 Walser Place and 412 Montague Lane.
The four properties — each of which is less than one acre — are valued at a total of about $51,000.
Architect David Mauer, representing a potential buyer, said that there are conceptual plans to turn the lots into a cottage community. 
Councilors requested that the developer meet with the local Citizens Advisory Council about the project while the city waits to receive bids on the properties.
Councilor Thomas Crowder said that plans for low- and moderate-income housing will be a large part of his consideration for a final sale.
