On May 13, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Modernization Act (H.R. 5129) led by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) and James Comer (R-Ky.). NACo sent a letter of support for the bill, which would enhance funding for CSBG and make other programmatic changes to ensure it is effectively meeting the current needs of local communities.

CSBG supports local public and private agencies in activities that mitigate the root causes of poverty. This includes services related to educational attainment, accessing and maintaining employment and self-sufficiency, household budget management, obtaining adequate housing and promoting greater community participation. The CSBG network operates in 99 percent of the nation’s counties through over 1,000 eligible public or private entities to serve 10.2 million individuals living in poverty, including 3.2 million children.

If enacted, H.R. 5129 would strengthen CSBG through the following changes:

• Reauthorization of the program for 10 years and authorization of $1 billion in appropriations for the first five years to create more program certainty and allow additional funding to meet our nation’s growing need
• Allow states to use CSBG funding to provide services to individuals earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line, allowing the program to reach more people in need
• Create a federally administered Community Action Innovations Program to invigorate the CSBG network’s ability to test new approaches to reducing poverty
• Authorize a new federal discretionary program – the Broadband Navigator Projects – that would be available to Community Action Agencies as increased internet access has major implications on socio-economic well-being and service delivery

As key partners with the federal government and the CSBG network in combating poverty, counties applaud the passage of this bill and urge the Senate to quickly pass this important legislation. NACo will continue to monitor action on H.R. 5129.

View NACo’s letter of endorsement here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• NACo Policy Brief: Support the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
• NACo Toolkit: The County Human Services and Education Landscape