California has allocated $25 million in competitive grants to support litter abatement, public space beautification, and workforce development programs across the state. The funding, part of the Clean California Community Empowerment Program (CCEP), aims to improve locally owned public rights-of-way while creating employment opportunities for underserved populations.
The CCEP program focuses on connecting justice-impacted individuals, people experiencing homelessness, at-risk youth, and others with job training and paid transitional employment through partnerships with workforce development organizations. Additionally, the grants will help fund public education and anti-littering campaigns as part of efforts to designate communities as Clean California Communities. All $25 million awarded this year is directed toward underserved communities.
Grant recipients include projects such as $580,000 for the expansion of San Francisco Public Works’ Tenderloin Clean Workforce Development Program; $251,000 for the Trinidad Rancheria Harbor District Beautification and Workforce Development Initiative in Humboldt County; $300,000 for Fresno County’s Clean Selma: Second Street and Downtown Arts Corridor Revitalization project; $172,000 for Lancaster’s Community Cleanup & Youth Workforce Development program; and $600,000 for San Diego County’s Clean National City Revitalization & Employment Pathway program. A full list of grant recipients is available online.
“These investments are more than just grants. They are catalysts for change. By combining community beautification with workforce development, Clean California’s CCEP program is restoring pride, creating opportunities and building stronger, safer neighborhoods across the state. Together, we’re proving that when we invest in people and places, we pave the way for a cleaner and more connected California,” according to a statement from the program.
Since its launch in July 2021 by Caltrans and local partners, the Clean California initiative has removed approximately 3.5 million cubic yards of litter from highways and public spaces—enough to fill over 150,000 residential garbage trucks. The effort has included more than 650 free dump days statewide resulting in collections such as over 15,500 mattresses and 57,000 tires. More than 10,000 volunteers have participated in clean-up events statewide. In addition to environmental benefits, the initiative has created over 18,200 jobs including positions specifically aimed at individuals who were formerly incarcerated or facing housing insecurity.
Further information about transportation infrastructure projects funded by state and federal sources can be found at build.ca.gov.
