RESOLUTION NO. 6581

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY DEVLEOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.   

WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is the centerpiece of the Housing and Community Development Act which was enacted in 1974; and

WHEREAS, the CDBG program has as its primary objective “the development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income;” and

WHEREAS, the CDBG program has considerable flexibility to allow communities to carry out activities that are tailored to their unique affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization needs; and

WHEREAS, through its 30-year history, the CDBG program has been a partnership of the federal, state and local governments, business, and the nonprofit sector to which carry out activities which improve the lives and neighborhoods of low and moderate income families; and

WHEREAS, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in FY 2004 CDBG provided funds for thousands of activities, assisting over 23 million persons and households through such activities as expanding homeownership opportunities, eliminating slums and blighting influences, improving infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, libraries, community centers, adult day care and after school care for children, homeless housing facilities, employment training, transportation services, crime awareness, and business and job creation; and

WHEREAS, the City of Lawrence, Kansas in FY 2004 will use CDBG funds in the amount of $963,000 to accomplish housing activities, community development and social service activities, and neighborhood revitalization; and

WHEREAS, the President’s FY 2006 budget process proposes to cut the CDBG program by $1.16 billion or by 35% from FY 2005 funding levels; and

WHEREAS, the President’s FY 2006 budget proposed to transfer the CDBG program from HUD to the Department of Commerce where it will be consolidated with 17 other economic development programs;

WHEREAS, should such a proposal be enacted, it would have a devastating effect on the City of Lawrence, Kansas CDBG program by possibly eliminating housing and social service activities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Lawrence, Kansas hereby calls on the Congress to preserve the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program within HUD and provide a FY 2006 funding level of at least $4.7 billion overall, with no less than $4.35 billion in formula funding.

ADOPTED by the Governing Body of the City of Lawrence, Kansas, this 8^th day of March, 2005.

APPROVED:                                                                            ATTEST:

____________________________                                        ________________________

Mike Rundle, Mayor                                                                 Frank S. Reeb, City Clerk