Counties to Trump: don’t eliminate CDBG, ‘backbone’ of local communities

NACo, NLC, U.S. Conference of Mayors to Trump: eliminating CDBG would wound where Americans live, work, play 

Eliminating Community Development Block Grant funds would “wound the places where the majority of Americans live, work and play,” NACo said in response to the possibility of the Trump administration defunding the program in FY18.

The Washington Post reported that the program could be slashed as part of $6 billion in cuts to the federal department of Housing and Urban Development. Trump’s proposed budget eliminates CDBG funding.

NACo issued a strongly worded statement, along with the National Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, about the new administration’s possible plan to eliminate the program:

“Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are the heart, lungs and backbone of cities and counties, small, medium and large. By eliminating or cutting them, the Administration mortally wounds the places where the majority of Americans live, work and play. Such a move risks ending or harming programs that keep Americans safe, help them find better-paying jobs, improve their health and keep public facilities in good shape. It is an attack on places the President said he wanted to help.

“On behalf of the elected officials of America’s cities and counties across this nation, we urgently request a meeting with HUD Secretary Ben Carson to discuss our utmost concern before any proposal is sent to Congress.

“The National Association of Counties and The United States Conference of Mayors visited Congress last week and solidified support for CDBG. The National League of Cities will follow next week. Together, strongly united with the full force of our organizations, we will demand from Congress, representing the people that sent them to Washington, that they take action to speak and vote against any proposal to cut or eliminate this vital and successful federal program.”