Latest news with #CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrants
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘A smack in the face:' Vouchers holders fear federal housing cuts
Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond. (Photo courtesy of AIRVA Photography) As budget talks heat up in Washington, Southside Richmond resident Dana Wyatt is bracing for impact. After years of waiting for a housing choice voucher — a federally-funded program that operates like a rent coupon for qualifying tenants — she now fears she could lose it and once again become rent-burdened. This is because a series of White House budget requests sent to Congress in May proposes deep cuts for housing programs that Virginia has long relied on to help struggling renters, first-time homebuyers, and those who are unhoused and in need of shelter. Federal housing funds also support organizations that fight housing discrimination. 'It's like a smack in the face,' Wyatt said. Even after finally receiving her voucher last year, Wyatt found it didn't offer much 'choice' at all. She said multiple landlords turned her away, highlighting what she called the irony of the program's name. Her case is now being investigated by Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), a Richmond-based housing advocacy organization. She worries not just for herself, but for others who could lose critical safety nets if the federal government slashes its housing support to state and local agencies. That's a concern that U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, plans to raise with her congressional colleagues. If enacted, the Trump administration's budget would eliminate or reduce funding streams from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including Community Development Block Grants, the Fair Housing Initiative Program, and the vouchers that people like Wyatt depend on. The housing cuts are among other proposed changes to federal agencies like HUD, as Congress also explores cuts to Medicaid — which supports health insurance for low-income and disabled residents. The wishes from the White House are part of President Donald Trump's plan to reduce taxes across all income levels. McClellan emphasized that while Trump and his Republican allies in Congress may celebrate the tax cuts for the 'wealthiest few at the federal level,' states and localities will be forced to make up for lost federal funds — often by raising taxes themselves. 'It's all just going to flow downhill,' McClellan said. 'States and localities are going to have to raise taxes.' The budget proposals are moving on parallel tracks in Congress. While Trump's 'big beautiful bill' — a reconciliation package that includes Medicaid cuts — has passed the House and awaits Senate deliberation, his formal request, which includes housing aid cuts, is already under review in the Senate. During his 2024 reelection campaign, Trump distanced himself from Project 2025, a sweeping policy blueprint published by the conservative Heritage Foundation. Still, the Foundation had praised Trump's first-term record and many of the current budget proposals mirror the project's recommendations. Chapter 15 of the project, which focuses on housing, calls for Congress to 'consider a wholesale overhaul of HUD that contemplates devolving many HUD functions to states and localities with any remaining federal functions consolidated to other federal agencies.' Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) spokesman Lance Warren called the requests from the Trump administration a 'radical reshaping of the social safety net.' In practical terms, Warren said, it would leave localities holding the bag on 'promises made' — from vouchers and downpayment assistance to homelessness services. 'The federal government is pulling the rug out from communities like ours even as they claim to be setting the table,' he said. Nearly 200,000 homes in Virginia receive some form of support from HUD, according to an analysis from the Virginia Housing Alliance. About 50,000 of those residents use vouchers like Wyatt's. Beyond programs for renters or first-time homebuyers, localities in Virginia also rely on federal funding to meet the temporary housing needs of residents. Nearly 6,000 Virginians receive housing and support in HUD-funded shelters. In the 2024 fiscal year, HUD allocated nearly $60 million for homelessness services in Virginia, while the state contributed about $30 million. Other streams of federal housing funding also enable housing organizations to work with vulnerable populations. Thomas Okuda Fitzpatrick, director of HOME, expressed concerns about the long-term viability of some of them. 'HOME will be around to fight the fight, but we have partners around the country that are unsure what their outcomes are going to look like,' he said. To offset the $550,000 cut his organization is facing, Fitzpatrick explained that HOME has scaled back some office operations to trim costs. Laura Dobbs, a policy director with HOME, also shared anecdotes of clients served by the organization — assistance that could be jeopardized for others like them if HUD cuts come to fruition. For instance, she explained how HOME and Commonwealth Catholic Charities advocated for an unhoused military veteran who had been denied housing vouchers. From sleeping in a tent behind a movie theater to his legal battle to obtain a voucher, he's now celebrating a year living in his Richmond apartment, Dobbs said. Likewise, a Community Development Block Grant supported a fund through HOME that helped with downpayment assistance for a Black first-time home owner. Reports have indicated disparities in homeownership for people of color due to a variety of factors, including the lingering impact of historically racist housing policies. Though the individual was able to afford her monthly mortgage payments, the upfront cost required to purchase a home had been a barrier until she was able to access down payment assistance through HOME. This is because HOME's Investment Partnership program both supports first-time homebuyers and localities' efforts to build or preserve affordable housing units. Localities also utilize Community Development Block Grants for a variety of infrastructure projects, ranging from maintaining existing public housing units to creating other types of affordable housing. While federal lawmakers like McClellan continue to push for or against the Trump administration's proposed funding cuts, Virginia's state lawmakers are bracing for the potential fallout. Last month, Gov. Glenn Youngkin carved out $900 million from Virginia's budget surplus as a 'cushion' for uncertainties at the federal level. Meanwhile, members of the legislature's appropriations committees have pondered whether they will need to reconvene for a special session later this year to address federal funding shortfalls — or if those issues will dominate the 2026 legislative session. It's possible lawmakers will focus on how to allocate the surplus Youngking withheld during negotiations over the most recent state budget. A member of the House of Delegates Appropriations committee, Del. Rodney Willett, D-Henrico, is working to determine what he and his colleagues might need to address. 'What's troubling is that even before this potential cut was announced, we were in a housing crisis at all levels,' he added. Though local governments have direct influence over housing supply and affordability through tools like zoning codes and development approvals, state lawmakers from both parties have explored what levers they can pull to support or encourage local efforts. Many of those proposals, however, did not survive this legislative session — either failing in committee or falling to Youngkin's veto pen. Wyatt, the Richmond resident, is flustered by the proposal from the White House but remains hopeful that her state and local officials can keep their promises to constituents like herself. 'I just hope that everything turns out okay,' she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Commissioners worry federal funding cuts will impact Trumbull County residents
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Trumbull County commissioners are worried about what proposed budget cuts at the federal level could mean for the county. Commissioners plan to send a letter to Congressman Dave Joyce and Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, expressing their concerns about the proposal to eliminate several programs. Funding that could be impacted includes the Community Development Block Grants, HOME Investment Partnerships program and Economic Development Administration grants, as well as funding from the EPA, to name a few. The county has received upwards of $50 million just in CDBG funding over the last 40 years. Officials are worried about the negative effects these cuts would have on the county and what it could mean for planned public infrastructure projects and those currently under construction. 'It would be devastating to the county, to put it in short-term devastation for our county, to not be able to receive these funds,' Commissioner Rick Hernandez said. In the letter, commissioners will ask Congress to consider the negative impacts on the county's residents when making decisions on the proposed cuts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield makes grants available for agencies serving low and moderate-income residents
SPRINGFIELD — The city will be releasing a total of $190,575 in Community Development Block Grants that will allow nonprofit agencies to renovate or construct buildings to will allow them to expand or preserve their services. Requests for proposal forms will be available starting April 28. Applicants must return proposals by May 28 and the funds are expected to be awarded by June 6. Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded. Proposals must be for projects located in Springfield and include information regarding the agency, the need for the project and its impact. Proposals must also include the project concept and scope, and accurate cost estimates. More than half of the clients the agencies serve must earn less than 80% of the region's area median income. More information about the grants can be seen on the city's website on April 28. Motion to suppress alcohol evidence in deadly Longmeadow crash allowed 'Access to cancer care matters': Physicians discuss advancements in cancer care and technology Trump administration rescinds grant to address asthma in Western Massachusetts Runway show in Springfield aims to demonstrate fashion is for all
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Youngstown showcases what it has to offer with downtown celebration
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – It's being called a 'celebration to strengthen the spirit of community development in Youngstown' and it's happening all day Thursday downtown. More than 100 vendors including community members, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, city officials and state leaders are lined up to showcase what the city has to offer. This week is National Community Development Week and Youngstown is participating with an event downtown. The goal is to educate the community, showcase local initiatives, and connect businesses, nonprofits and public officials with those they serve. It is an opportunity to recognize the impact of community development while celebrating the growth and future direction of Youngstown. There are vendor booths, food trucks, a bounce house and numerous kids' games led by City Parks and Recreation. There's also live music, dance performances and entertainment — all free. This is going on until 7 p.m. and the events are spread out at the Covelli Centre, Wean Foundation Park and Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. National Community Development Week is intentionally held during the Congressional appropriations process to highlight the importance of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME programs. These initiatives play a crucial role in improving neighborhoods, supporting local businesses and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Ivey awards $600K grant to alleviate drainage problems in Scottsboro
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (WHNT) — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded the City of Scottsboro a $600,000 grant to help with drainage problems. The grant funds will help address a flooding problem that could potentially present safety hazards for residents in the area. The Community Development Block Grant Urgent Need award will be used to reroute a damaged and partially collapsed drainage line that has caused flooding and water backup in a section of downtown Scottsboro. City officials say that the flooding is causing damage to structures in the area such as the Scottsboro First Baptist Church. 'These funds will help the city realign a stormwater drainage system so that any rain can safely be diverted away from buildings and property and flow naturally through the runoff system without causing any harm or damage,' Gov. Ivey said. 'I am pleased to award these funds to help alleviate this issue for Scottsboro residents.' According to the state, the current drainage line is 85 years old, and was installed during the Works Progress Administration enacted by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Officials say that the current line runs under a church playground and an activity center. City officials told News 19 that the new line will be constructed along the south side of Laurel Street and the east side of Scott Street, avoiding church property and private property. The older sewer line will be plugged to ensure there is no runoff through it. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the award from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 'Community Development Block Grants under the urgent need fund are intended for occasions like this one in Scottsboro where there is a threat to a community's well-being,' ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. 'ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in this project to alleviate this issue.' Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy, was notified by Gov. Ivey that the funding had been approved. The City of Scottsboro is also providing $187,430 in local funds towards the project. News 19 is working to receive information on when the project is expected to be completed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
