Policy Resolution LWD-18-34

A RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM IN 2018 APPROPRIATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)

2018 Ratified Policy Resolutions

Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) Committee

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators has a long history of supporting meaningful economic development and strategic investment in communities for citizens;

WHEREAS, states should receive federal assistance to help cities, counties, and states recover from presidentially declared disasters, especially in low-income areas

WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery program (CBDG-DR), has been an integral part in rebuilding homes, communities and workforces in the wake of natural disasters;

WHEREAS, CDBG-DR program allows for funding for a broad range of recovery activities such that provides communities and neighborhoods–that otherwise might not recover due to limited resources–federal funding to rebuild;

WHEREAS, The Trump Administration’s FY 2018 budget proposes to eliminate funding for the Community Develop Block Grant program, which would also eliminate CDBG-DR assistance;

WHEREAS, HUD supports housing, community facilities, economic development, and social service projects, mainly for low and moderate income residents with its CBDG funding; and

WHEREAS, the impact of 2017 natural disasters in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida demonstrate the need for CDBG-DR program to continue providing states funding so that their communities can recover from natural disasters.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators recognizes the importance of the CBDG-DR funding and we urge Congress not to eliminate funding for CBDG-DR when determining the appropriations for HUD in FY 2018 and beyond; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

SPONSOR: Assemblywoman Dina Neal (NV)
Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
Certified by Committee Chair(s): Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Senator Will Smith (MD)
Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 2, 2017
Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President