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Press Room

Housing, Community Development Experts Available for Comment on President's Budget

Contact: Liz Hennessy, 202-289-3500 ext. 280

News Advisory:

Leaders of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials will be available Monday to comment on the president's budget proposal for fiscal year 2006.

Among the proposals outlined in the budget will be the consolidation and shift of 18 community and economic development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant, from HUD and other agencies to the Commerce department. NAHRO President Jim Inglis said the impacts of such a shift could be widely felt in local communities.

"By consolidating and reducing resources for vital HUD community and economic development programs, the administration has effectively proposed the elimination of these programs," he said. "In particular, it appears to eliminate CDBG, which administration officials last April ranked 'among our nation's oldest and most successful programs.' I am deeply troubled that this would lead to a substantially reduced investment in comprehensive, citizen-driven community development, affordable housing preservation, and community services for the elderly and children in our neighborhoods."

The budget also will outline the president's recommended funding for affordable housing programs, such as Section 8, that help millions of American families of modest income find safe, decent housing in increasingly expensive markets.

"More than 40 million Americans live in poverty, and nearly 850,000 are homeless on any given night, yet this budget focuses on homeownership, reduces resources and ignores those that need safe, quality and affordable rental housing," said Inglis, who is executive director of the Livonia, Mich., Housing Commission.

Inglis and NAHRO Executive Director Saul Ramirez will be available for comment on Monday. Contact Liz Hennessy at 202-289-3500 ext. 280 to schedule interviews or for more information on what the budget entails for specific programs.