(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) recently signed a letter to the Budget Committee urging them to reject requested cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program in the President’s FY 2008 Budget. The proposed cuts would have a disproportionate impact on the New England region.

“CDBG programs are critical to our cities and towns,” said Langevin. “This funding allows municipalities to fund projects beyond their normal budget capabilities, such as beautifying a public space while making it accessible for everyone to enjoy. These improvements make a community a better place to live and work in and in turn help to boost our economy.”

The President’s budget includes a proposal to cut CDBG funding by $1.1 billion, or 29.4 percent.  CDBG administers annual grants which allow local governments to allocate funds to community development priorities. Under the President’s proposal, a total of $42,349,000 could be cut from the New England region overall, including $3,448,000 cut from Rhode Island’s allocation.

In addition to these massive cuts, HUD has also proposed changing the underlying formulas currently used to allocate funds to states and entitlement communities under CDBG.  While the proposed formula changes may benefit some communities in the New England region, for many cities, they will further compound the difficulties created by the President’s proposed budget.

As our cities struggle to fund redevelopment projects, CDBG has become vital to helping our cities create new economic opportunities while allowing municipalities to tackle housing rehabilitation, public improvements, and key economic development projects. 

“Cutting this program is unacceptable and would be detrimental to many ongoing and proposed projects throughout the Second Congressional District,” continued Langevin.

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