Fall 2020
City Heights Economic Recovery
City Heights Business Relief Fund Provides Support to Local Businesses
As the Covid-19 crisis has continued, many businesses are still struggling to stay afloat and keep up with the ever changing operating guidelines provided by the county and state. Economic recovery in City Heights has been especially challenging, as many local businesses did not receive economic aid through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was intended to provide loans to small businesses negatively impacted by pandemic. 
Observing the economic strain the pandemic has placed on the community, and realizing that federal money is not making it to many of the businesses who needed it most, the City Heights Business Association joined with other local economic and community development organizations to create the City Heights Business Relief Fund. 
In collaboration with the City Heights Community Development Corporation, the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, International Rescue Committee, and LISC San Diego, the Relief Fund initially raised nearly $190,000 to help local businesses, many of which are minority and woman-owned. 

In July, grants ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 were awarded to 35 City Heights businesses. These grants have been highly successful in helping businesses continue operations. Since these funds were distributed, an additional $90,000 has been raised and will be awarded to 20-25 businesses that did not receive funding during the first round of grants.
CHBA Clean & Safe Program
Expanding Services and Providing Jobs to Local Residents
with Help from Price Charities Grant
In August, the CHBA received a grant from Price Charities to hire 8 temporary part-time maintenance workers for the Clean & Safe Program. This grant not only allowed CHBA to expand their maintenance efforts along University Avenue, but also helped to provide job opportunities to City Heights residents who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Feedback collected from the new hires demonstrates that their job with CHBA is helping them to pay bills, buy essential supplies, and provide better support to their families during this challenging time. 
Community Advocate Program Engages Residents in Identifying Maintenance and Safety Issues in City Heights
The City Heights Community Advocate Program works to recruit and train community leaders from each City Heights neighborhood in order to create a sense of community and leadership among residents and increase resident participation in addressing neighborhood maintenance and security issues. 

Despite challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the availability of different entities responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of public infrastructure, the Community Advocate and neighborhood leaders continued to work collaboratively across the community to identify and report maintenance and safety issues impacting City Heights residents. In total, the Community Advocate and Community Leaders made 3,318 maintenance reports through the Get It Done App between July 2019 and June 2020. Of these reports, the majority were for graffiti removal (1,349) and illegal dumping (1,610).
Maintenance Request Form Available Online
You may submit any requests for the City Heights Maintenance Assessment District through our online form. Once we receive your submission, we will review your report and determine the best course of action for your concern. In most cases we will either add your concern to our schedule of maintenance work or, if your request is beyond our team's capabilities, we'll refer your concern to the City of San Diego through the Get It Done App.
Local Business Spotlights
FireBirds Chicken
FireBirds Chicken opened its doors to the City Heights community last fall, serving Nashville-inspired hot chicken, along with a variety of creative, mouth-watering side dishes. We recently caught up with the FireBirds team to learn more about their story. Read more
Jupiter Records & Tapes
Jupiter Records and Tapes is home to the most extensive collection of music and vinyl we’ve seen in San Diego. But co-owner Harry Miller doesn’t just see his store as a haven for vinyl enthusiasts. He wants it to become a gathering spot and creative hub for the City Heights community. Read more 
Fruteria Disfrutalas
With a strong passion for serving the City Heights community, and experience overcoming setbacks, Disfrutalas is weathering the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing to provide healthy and delicious take-out options to the neighborhood seven days a week. Read more
Ryan Bros. Coffee
While the Ryan Bros. name may be well known throughout San Diego, this City Heights coffee shop has a unique story, a strong partnership with local non-profit, Worthy, and a mission grounded in supporting and giving back to the community. Read more
CHBA Board of Directors & Annual Meeting
Wednesday, October 14th at 4:00 p.m.
Our next Board of Directors meeting will also be our annual meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Community members are welcome to participate, but you must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
619-906-4443 | public@cityheightsba.org