Florida’s U.S. Senators Join City of Miami Officials To Fight Potential CDBG Budget Cuts

 

February 22, 2005 - (Miami, FL) - In a meeting held today at Miami City Hall, Senator Bill Nelson joined Mayor Manny Diaz, Commission Chairman Joe Sanchez, Vice-Chairman Angel Gonzalez and Commissioner Johnny Winton to discuss a plan of action in wake of the proposed elimination of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the President’s Fiscal Year 2006 Budget.

 

The fight against the elimination of CDBG has already garnered widespread bi-partisan support at the federal level. In addition to Senator Nelson (D), Senator Mel Martinez (R) was represented by Nilda Pedrosa, his State Policy Director. Representatives from the Dade League of Cities were also on hand.

 

“Since we announced our intention to fight the elimination of CDBG, I have received the support from many of our leaders in Washington, notably Senator Nelson and Senator Martinez,” said Mayor Diaz. “It is not an issue of partisanship, but the realization that CDBG cuts risk the elimination of crucial social services that aid some of our neediest residents.”

 

The meeting was the first for the CDBG Task Force formed by Mayor Diaz on February 10th. The steps outlined by the Task Force focused on community involvement at the local and national level and outreach initiatives geared to educate the public on the importance of CDBG funded services.

 

Cuts to CDBG could have a devastating impact on local communities. The program is currently funded at $4.7 billion (FY 2005) and provides grants to cities through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under the proposed budget, CDBG would be consolidated with 17 other existing programs and funded at a total of $3.71 billion under the Department of Commerce as the Strengthening America’s Communities Grant Program. This figure is about $2 billion less than the 18 programs together receive now.

 

Because federal regulations require that no more than 15% of CDBG funds can be used for public services in the community, the population most hurt by this funding cut and public service cap is the fixed-income senior citizens who rely on meals and transportation from the City’s CDBG-funded agencies. Child care services and affordable housing projects funded in part by CDBG are also at risk.

 

“This is a very simple issue that cuts right to the heart,” said Chairman Sanchez, co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force “If CDBG funding is cut, there are grandmothers that will go without the one hot meal a day provided by those federal dollars. If the federal budget reduces CDBG dollars, we won’t have the funding for day care programs and hardworking people will have to quit their jobs to stay home to care for their children.” 

 

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