Title
A Resolution fully supporting the vital and successful Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program and urging Congress to reject the 2018 Federal Budget recommendation eliminating the CDBG and HOME Programs.
Body
WHEREAS, the CDBG Program is the centerpiece of the Housing and Community Development Act which was enacted in 1974, and the HOME program was authorized in 1990 as part of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; and
WHEREAS, the CDBG Program is intended to assist urban communities with providing decent and suitable housing and living environments for low-to-moderate income people and expand economic opportunities for same; while the HOME program is intended to expand the supply of decent, affordable housing for lower income people; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Allis (the "City") is an entitlement community and annually receives a direct allocation of CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the City is a member of the HOME Consortium with Milwaukee County and the City of Wauwatosa and annually receives HOME funds from the Consortium lead member, Milwaukee County; and
WHEREAS, both programs provide the City of West Allis the ability to carry out activities relating to affordable housing, direct public services to low-to-moderate income individuals, and neighborhood revitalization needs in low-to-moderate income areas, which could not otherwise be accomplished; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Allis has utilized its CDBG allocation of just over $7,000,000, and over $1,200,000 in program income, in the following manner in the past five years: approved 18 economic development loans, creating over 120 full-time jobs in West Allis, of which over 60 were to low-to-moderate income people; approved 14 fa?ade grants, eliminating blighting conditions at 14 different businesses; provided services to roughly 680 senior citizens each year, such as in-per...
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