April 25, 2011

Nine 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 FY 2011.

"We are deeply disappointed that the budget deal before Congress today drastically cuts funding for the Community Development Block Grant 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."