Local Elected and Appointed Officials React to Congressional Budget Deal Passed Today

Disappointed with Cuts to Community Development Block Program

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following eight national organizations representing thousands of appointed and elected state and local officials across the country today released the following statement voicing their concern about the 16 percent cut in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) formula program funding for FY2011:

The U.S. Conference of Mayors, Elena Temple: [email protected]
The National Association of Counties, Jim Phillips: [email protected]
The National League of Cities, Greg Minchak: [email protected]
The National Community Development Association
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
The National Association of County Community and Economic Development
The National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies
The Council of State Community Development Agencies

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110125/MM36443LOGO)

"We are deeply disappointed that the budget deal before Congress today drastically cuts funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) formula program. A 16 percent cut is simply too harsh and will severely slow down or eliminate thousands of local and state projects and programs that are directly contributing to economic recovery in our nation's communities.

"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.

"During these tough times, now is not the time to cut CDBG."

SOURCE The U.S. Conference of Mayors