RESIDENTS SURVEYED ON GRANT SPENDING.

Byline: Ryan Oliver  Staff Writer

PACOIMA - Affordable housing, crime, street improvements and small-business assistance were among the top priorities Tuesday of a group of San Fernando Valley residents who were asked how best to spend $53 million.

The money comes from an annual grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.

Valley residents gathered at the Boys & Girls Club in Pacoima at the first in a series of eight meetings to be held by the commission, asking residents for their input on spending.

``We want to take the community's input so they can consider what the needs are,'' said Diann Viox with the commission's block grant division.

Approximately 20 residents attended Tuesday night's meeting and answered a survey and identified key needs in their community.

Their input will be considered when the county decides where to spend the grant money, which it expects to receive next year.

Pacoima resident Leon Garrett said he thought youth programs to keep kids out of trouble were an important place to put the money.

Also, small-business assistance could help start new businesses and keep them running and would also keep people employed, he said.

``Most businesses fail because of a lack of information on how to run one,'' he said.