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The Riverside City Council approved a new beautification grant program open to property owners for fiscal year 2021. The Community Beautification Incentive Program was created to visually improve the dwellings and properties in Riverside in order to attract new families to live in the city. Eligible individuals will receive a maximum of $2,500 for a matching monetary incentive as a forgivable loan which can be used for improvements to sidewalks, driveways, landscaping, permanent exterior improvements such as awnings, windows, siding, paint, and exterior lighting, and ADA compliant sidewalks for properties. The minimum guidelines the city created for this program includes the dwelling or property must remain livable, occupied, and free of deterioration for at least 12 months; projects must make a substantial, visible improvement to the appearance of the building; and the dwelling or property improvements should maintain the character of the residential area. These grants will be awarded and approved by the city council. Grants will be awarded while funding is available per budget year and one grant application is available to property owners per year or at the city council’s discretion. Preference will be given to new applicants and may be given to those who use local businesses in their project or to those properties valued under $180,000. The city has started the grant application gathering process and applications are available on the Riverside City website. The city has budgeted $10,000 for residential improvement projects through this program.