The House Appropriations Committee this week introduced HR 1 that funds all federal programs in the current fiscal year. Included in this bill is a 62 percent reduction of the Community Development Block Grant program. In simple terms, this is devastating news for towns around the country.
In our neck of the woods, a small city like New Brunswick, New Jersey, population of just over 50,000, will lose $500,000. Middlesex County, which houses New Brunswick and other small urban areas, stands to lose roughly $1.3 million. These funds, of course, go to support the rehab of moderate- and low-income homes, code enforcement, law enforcement in high crime areas, and park improvements.
That’s just a small city. In larger cities, the impact is proportional and severe. What does the possible loss of Community Development Block Grants mean in your community? What’s at stake? Comment here, or write us at [email protected].
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