Title
Letter of Support FY 12 Federal Budget Priorities for the CDBG and HOME Programs (B)
This item requests City Commission approval to authorize the Mayor to sign and submit a letter to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives supporting the continued funding of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) in FY12.
Explanation
The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis at approximately $4 billion dollars to entitlement cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. HUD awards grants to entitlement community grantees to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services. For over 35 years, CDBG has been one of the longest running and successful grant programs in the nation. CDBG is one of the most effective federal domestic programs to revitalize communities with proven results. It helps fund a wide range of activities, including job-creating economic development projects; community policing; housing-related assistance; and public projects such as water and sewer improvements, street and sidewalk repairs, and the remediation of environmental contamination. It helps fund public facilities including fire stations and youth and senior centers; as well as vital local services and activities that benefit millions of elderly Americans, low-income children, and the disabled, including meals on wheels, improvements to nursing homes, child care, after-school enrichment programs, and programs for abused and neglected children.
The HOME Program provides formula grants to States and localities that communities use often in partnership with lo...
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