Title
Resolution Opposing Elimination and Reduction of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Programs Which are Vital to Washtenaw County Residents
Body
Whereas, On March 8, 2017 the Washington Post reported on proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD);
Whereas, Among other significant cuts, the proposed HUD budget:
* Cuts funding for public housing repairs by $1.3 billion or 68%.
* Cuts funding for Housing Choice Vouchers by $300 million, not including the additional resources that would be needed to cover inflationary costs. This is equal to 200,000 vouchers being lost.
* Cuts funding that would result in about 12,000 homes for seniors and 6,000 homes for people with disabilities being lost.
* Eliminates Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
* Eliminates HOME Investment Partnership Program.
Whereas, The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) programs are operated in Washtenaw County by the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development;
Whereas, Other programs such as the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program could be at risk of elimination or significant cuts;
Whereas, For FY 2017 alone Washtenaw County received nearly $3,000,000 in CDBG, HOME and ESG funding;
Whereas, These federal programs allow Washtenaw County to leverage $20 million or more annually in additional funds for community projects and programs;
Whereas, CDBG, HOME and ESG programs provide critical community infrastructure, neighborhood stabilization, human services, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing resources for Washtenaw County residents; and their elimination would have disastrous impacts on quality of life for our neighborhoods and residents;
Whereas, Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs are operated locally by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC);
Whereas, The AAHC provides vouchers to over 2000 families in Washtenaw County and ren...
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