Bush plans sharp cuts in HUD community efforts

[NHPlanner]

Back to the Federal Moving Van Administration. ......

<snipped>

Can't argue with you, or your experience.

What I can argue is what I posted above:

I'm sorry.....if retail and small service oriented development is something we want in communities, we need to be able to provide affordable housing. Period. Whatever part of the country.

Lets face it, there's a lot of retail out there for people to shop at. Lots of communities want the Walmarts, Targets, and Kohls to come into town to provide retail and maybe help even out the property tax burden. But for these companies to locate somewhere, they need employees. Many of these employess will be lower wage. We, as a profession, need to strive for at least something in the realm of affordable housing for these kinds of people. Period. I will never believe otherwise. It isn't easy, and I don't expect it to be.....but affordable housing is a crisis in the northeast and in other parts of the country. Telling those that can't afford a home to move off to some other state with a lower cost of living is, well, bluntly, WRONG.

I guess the view of some here would be that the only place to shop should be in the midwest or in the south. Cuz there isn't gonna be anywhere to shop if there aren't improvements in housing affordability in the rest of the country. Can't run retail purely with teenagers.

[BKM]

Immigrants silly, the kind that will be welcomed with Bush's guest worker program.

Don't worry, there will be service workers. They just need to suffer a little bit more.

Leaving five families (or thirteen men) per house or apratment, of course, leading to endless problems with neighbors, as their neighborhoods go into rapid decline due to overcrowding.

Or, maybe we should just blow out the building codes and all planning regs and allow "Cheneyvilles" filled with shacks and running open sewers in every city? After all, a military empire doesn't need a middle class, it just needs generals and willing cannon fodder.

promote more small businesses and less reliance on the government too

It's too late. We don't need small business any more in the United States. We have WalMart and Circuit City and Costco and Target. Not evberyone can make a living as a "handyman" or a "janitor/housekeeper" (the vast majority of new small business licenses we sign off on. Especially if the middle class disappears, and there is less market for the few elite things small business can provide.

[Cardinal]

President Bush has increased federal homelessness funding every year, a record 4 years running! Moreover, the group coordinating federal agencies' homelessness plan was dissolved by Clintion in 1994 only to be reorganized by Bush. Homelessness is a problem that should be addressed locally, not at the national level. Plus, more money doesn't automatically reduce homelessness - despite San Francisco's generous funding the city's homelessness problem has grown worse. However, I am for a housing safety net. I don't like Section 8 cuts.

Bush may have increased funding for homeless programs. I really don't know. Even if he did, he has drastically cut programs for the working poor, which might kep them from becoming homeless.

As for homelessness being a local issue, you might combine your thoughts with El Guapo's. It is far easier for the homeless to move around than it is for people with family, jobs, property, leases, etc. Why do you think places like San Francisco's homeless problem has grown worse? Maybe is it because San Francisco has been generous and the free-loaders know it? The same might be said of a handful of other cities that have tried to address their problem - by doing so they attract everyone else's problem. I guess the solution is that nobody should do anything for the homeless, and they might be then more or less evenly distributed instead of concentrating in the cities with any social conscience. But then they might become more visible to typical Americans and the whole Somebody Else's Problem Field will collapse. That's no good.

[BKM]

Why do you think places like San Francisco's homeless problem has grown worse? Maybe is it because San Francisco has been generous and the free-loaders know it? The same might be said of a handful of other cities that have tried to address their problem - by doing so they attract everyone else's problem. I .

That may be part of the reason. But, face it-would you rather be homeless in (sometimes chilly, admittedly, but...) San Francisco or LA-or Chicago? Brrr. Plus,. there really is the whole "California as the last chance/end of the road" myth. We actually had some clueless kid come to our front counter a few years back. He wanted to move to exciting California, and he "met" a "friend" on the internet-who gave him a nonsence address and a nonsense phone number. He was almost completely broke by the time he ended up in Solano County! You read a lot of anecdotal stories just like that. Throw in the fact that San Francisco's glitzy, fancy new modern art and culture district destroyed much of the skid row, add in apartments in bad neighborhoods renting for $1,000, throw in a permissive, enabling culture,. close the mental hospitals to save money and "feree" the ill, and you have yammering heroin addicts living on main boulevards' median strips

[The One]

It's too late. We don't need small business any more in the United States. We have WalMart and Circuit City and Costco and Target. Not evberyone can make a living as a "handyman" or a "janitor/housekeeper" (the vast majority of new small business licenses we sign off on. Especially if the middle class disappears, and there is less market for the few elite things small business can provide.

Exactly! Small business gets messed over everytime by big business and that will continue.......small business owners must be brainwashed (ideologically) to not see it......and keep supporting the political machine that gives out huge tax breaks to the monster corporations

[el Guapo]

Exactly! Small business gets messed over everytime by big business and that will continue.......small business owners must be brainwashed (ideologically) to not see it......and keep supporting the political machine that gives out huge tax breaks to the monster corporations

Yes, I can see how getting in bed with the party of Dick Gephart and the Unionistas will help small business. Yes, it is so clear to me now. Why didn't I think of that?

[Pride of Place]

Yes, I can see how getting in bed with the party of Dick Gephart and the Unionistas will help small business. Yes, it is so clear to me now. Why didn't I think of that?

You're exactly right. Why would anyone support the American Labor movement? The only thing that Unions have done is give us weekends off, get workplace safety regs put in place, make aviation safer by mandating duty time limitiations for pilots, flight attendants and mechanics (not to mention training for every imiginable emergency and changes in aircraft design to make planes safer machines to operate and travel in), pushed for family medical leave, introduced the idea of vacation time for everyone (not just the rich), etc...

[el Guapo]

You're exactly right. Why would anyone support the American Labor movement? The only thing that Unions have done is give us weekends off, get workplace safety regs put in place, make aviation safer by mandating duty time limitiations for pilots, flight attendants and mechanics (not to mention training for every imiginable emergency and changes in aircraft design to make planes safer machines to operate and travel in), pushed for family medical leave, introduced the idea of vacation time for everyone (not just the rich), etc...

Take a deep breath and say, "I obviously don't understand capitalism, so I'll shut up."

[iamme]

Take a deep breath and say, "I obviously don't understand capitalism, so I'll shut up."

I'm glad you came to your senses eG, are you done with that breather?

[Chet]

I'm glad you came to your senses eG, are you done with that breather?

I think you mis-read his post.

[el Guapo]

I think you mis-read his post.

Don't confuse a leftist on a tirade with facts Chet!

[iamme]

Don't confuse a leftist on a tirade with facts Chet!

C'mon selective reading is fun.

What I think is interesting is how I went on a tirade in one sentence.

I guess it's just conservatives exaggerating again **cough** WMDs **cough**

[OfficialPlanner]

Could section 8 just be rolled into one of the many other government safety nets... such as welfare or make it a state responsibility?

[boiker]

Isn't it just possible that the Fed's have subsidized this income gap to such an extent that we cannot eliminate or reduce low-income benefits without seriously impacting lower and low-middle class citizens? (Trying to remember facts!--- purchasing power is at nearly an all time low? Personal debt is at an all time high.) Efficency and productivity are golden virtues of corporations, not happy employees that can easily purchase what they produce (at least not without the help of credit!)

With the advent of industrialization we were able to produce more goods, more cheaply and pass the savings on to the consumer (presumably). Now, we are industrialization retail. Though mass purchasing, selling, distributing, and advertising retail is able to sell more, profit more, and offer products for less. Job creation is primarily occuring in this sector. Now, these employees need to secure livable wages and reasonable benefits in the same way manufacturing, mining, and other heavy laborers did so a century ago. If I'm an unskilled individual in the 1920s looking for a job...I went to the local factory (employer of hundreds or thousands). If I'm an unskilled individual in the 2000s, I go to the local retail stores (employer of hundreds). As good paying manufcaturing positions have declined, less well paying service jobs have increased.

I know you can't compare their working conditions with the "posh" working environment retail employees work in. But you can't compare what Americans currently demand for housing and amenities to what they did 100 years ago either. Standards are expected and if workers are not able to secure standards that allow them the opportunity to live a reasonable life and raise a family individually, then organization is necessary. History repeats itself and lately it looks as if we need another reminder.

There is no excuse that if you demand more from the employer than what is reasonable for your qualifications, you should make yourself better qualifies and put yourself in the position to attain those aspirations. But it is unreasonable to see "cogs in the machine" be rewarded so little when the investors are rewarded so much. It is also unreasonable to believe that everyone is able to be college educated. My father in law can work incredibly with his hands, but struggles to understand college level material. Same for my Dad.

Unions aren't necessary when employees are treated fairly.

[NHPlanner]

APA Members:

Here's a way to contact your Legislators about the cuts in CDBG:

http://capwiz.com/amplan/mail/onecli...lertid=6988121

[mike gurnee]

My previous community is buying a former junior department store downtown for an arts center. Spaces will be available for artists to work and ply their crafts. The local owner of several McDonald franchises will install a cafe. CDBG will fund the building purchase.

Nice concept for downtown revitalization and quality of life thingys. But I do not believe that CDBG was meant to buy buildings for art galleries. I know this is one more part of anecdotal examples of waste, but it was in today's paper.

[Gedunker]

My previous community is buying a former junior department store downtown for an arts center. Spaces will be available for artists to work and ply their crafts. The local owner of several McDonald franchises will install a cafe. CDBG will fund the building purchase.

Nice concept for downtown revitalization and quality of life thingys. But I do not believe that CDBG was meant to buy buildings for art galleries. I know this is one more part of anecdotal examples of waste, but it was in today's paper.

Acquisition is an eligible activity; preservation is an eligible activity; rehab is an eligible activity. Check into the details: CDBG will probably be a loan with low repayment rate. Also, your city's one-year action plan should have identified this activity. The plan requires approval of your redevelopment body, city council and HUD. Somewhere along the line, folks had to support this activity.

No offense intended, but I don't buy it as *waste*.

[mike gurnee]

Gedunker,
correct on all points, except I know how that certain city does things. It is not a good example. The hook and ladder truck that I was ordered to process is.

[BKM]

Gedunker,
correct on all points, except I know how that certain city does things. It is not a good example. The hook and ladder truck that I was ordered to process is.

But, if the rehab removes vacancy and blight, provides new uses, fosters downtown revitalization, provides jobs for people who have been left out of the deindustrialized economy (cafe jobs), etc. etc, then how is this an example of "waste" per se.

The efficiencies of this city are another issue (all bureaucracies are "inefficient" to some extent). I'm not sure a new hook and ladder truck is a good example of community development, anyway. That should be funded by the city's own taxpayers, as should the sidewalk improvements and curb and gutter replacement that CDBG funds regularly fund.

[dogandpony]

APA Members:

Here's a way to contact your Legislators about the cuts in CDBG:

http://capwiz.com/amplan/mail/onecli...lertid=6988121

Here's another... check to see if your senators have signed the "dear colleagues" letter to support keeping funding levels.

who's signed

urge your senators to sign (or not sign in the case of a few of you) this letter supporting CDBG funds

http://www.lisc.org/whatwedo/policy/...DBG%20FY06.pdf

Below is a description of the proposed changes, what to do, copied from LISC's email to me...

The Threat: Earlier this month the Bush Administration proposed eliminating 18 federal community development programs in five departments, replacing them with a single new program at the Commerce Department, and cutting total funding by nearly $2 billion – from $5.6 billion to $3.7 billion – about 35%. Community development activities will suffer greatly if these important programs and funding disappear.

The 18 endangered programs are: HUD: Community Development Block Grants ($4.11 billion); CDBG set-asides ($302 million); Section 4 community capacity building grants ($30 million); Rural Housing and Economic Development grants ($24 million); Brownfields ($24 million); Section 108 loan guarantees ($6 million); Urban Empowerment Zones ($10 million). Treasury: CDFI grants; Bank Enterprise Awards; and CDFI Native Initiatives ($55 million). USDA: Rural Business Enterprise Grants ($40 million); Economic Impact Grants ($21 million); Rural EZs/ECs ($12 million); Rural Business Opportunity Grants ($3 million). HHS: Community Services Block Grant ($727 million); Urban and Rural Community and Economic Development ($33 million); Rural Community Facilities ($7 million). Commerce: Economic Development Administration ($255 million).

What To Do: A bipartisan group of six Senators* is organizing a “Dear Colleague” letter [PDF] to leaders of the Senate Budget Committee. The letter focuses on preserving the Community Development Block Grants and related programs, and provides good talking points. Because they comprise most of the funding in the consolidation plan, saving these programs may be the key to stopping consolidation and a big step toward preserving the funding. We urge you to call your Senators immediately at 202-224-3121 and ask them to sign the bipartisan letter on community development. They should also oppose consolidation and funding cuts for community development programs.

Because the Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to act March 7, please do not delay. We will let you know if a similar letter is organized for the House. Once the budget is set, the action will move to the Appropriations Committees.

[JLA]

Here's another... check to see if your senators have signed the "dear colleagues" letter to support keeping funding levels.

who's signed

urge your senators to sign (or not sign in the case of a few of you) this letter supporting CDBG funds

http://www.lisc.org/whatwedo/policy/...DBG%20FY06.pdf

Below is a description of the proposed changes, what to do, copied from LISC's email to me...

The Threat: Earlier this month the Bush Administration proposed eliminating 18 federal community development programs in five departments, replacing them with a single new program at the Commerce Department, and cutting total funding by nearly $2 billion – from $5.6 billion to $3.7 billion – about 35%. Community development activities will suffer greatly if these important programs and funding disappear.

The 18 endangered programs are: HUD: Community Development Block Grants ($4.11 billion); CDBG set-asides ($302 million); Section 4 community capacity building grants ($30 million); Rural Housing and Economic Development grants ($24 million); Brownfields ($24 million); Section 108 loan guarantees ($6 million); Urban Empowerment Zones ($10 million). Treasury: CDFI grants; Bank Enterprise Awards; and CDFI Native Initiatives ($55 million). USDA: Rural Business Enterprise Grants ($40 million); Economic Impact Grants ($21 million); Rural EZs/ECs ($12 million); Rural Business Opportunity Grants ($3 million). HHS: Community Services Block Grant ($727 million); Urban and Rural Community and Economic Development ($33 million); Rural Community Facilities ($7 million). Commerce: Economic Development Administration ($255 million).

What To Do: A bipartisan group of six Senators* is organizing a “Dear Colleague” letter [PDF] to leaders of the Senate Budget Committee. The letter focuses on preserving the Community Development Block Grants and related programs, and provides good talking points. Because they comprise most of the funding in the consolidation plan, saving these programs may be the key to stopping consolidation and a big step toward preserving the funding. We urge you to call your Senators immediately at 202-224-3121 and ask them to sign the bipartisan letter on community development. They should also oppose consolidation and funding cuts for community development programs.

Because the Senate Budget Committee is scheduled to act March 7, please do not delay. We will let you know if a similar letter is organized for the House. Once the budget is set, the action will move to the Appropriations Committees.

Thanks for the information!

[SGB]

Urgent Action Alert
Contact House Members Today To Save CDBG

Call the Congressional switchboard at (202)-224-3121 and ask for your House
of Representatives member's housing/community development staffer . Or,
contact your already-established contacts in the local or DC-based offices
of your member of Congress. Ask that the member sign the "Shays/Frank Dear
Colleague Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) letter
<http://www.lisc.org/whatwedo/policy/downloads/federal/SupportCDBG3.2.05.pdf>."
Please act immediately. Timing is very tight.

This letter is similar to a Senate letter
<http://www.lisc.org/whatwedo/policy/downloads/federal/Ltr%20to%20Budget%20Cmte%20on%20CDBG%20FY06.pdf>
we circulated last week. With your help, 55 Senators wrote to the Senate
Budget Committee, a great result. Now Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) and Barney
Frank (D-MA) are leading a letter to the House Budget Committee. We need
other members to sign by Monday, March 7 if possible, though later
signatures will be added.

About $2 billion annually is at risk! The President's FY 2006 budget
proposes to eliminate 18 community and economic development programs
currently funded at $5.7 billion through five federal agencies (see list
below) and create a new single block grant with only $3.7 billion at the
Department of Commerce. That's a 35% cut!

Moreover, the following programs would be killed: HUD: Community
Development Block Grants ($4.11 billion); CDBG set-asides ($302 million);
Section 4 community capacity building grants ($30 million); Rural Housing
and Economic Development grants ($24 million); Brownfields ($24 million);
Section 108 loan guarantees ($6 million); Urban Empowerment Zones ($10
million). Treasury: CDFI grants; Bank Enterprise Awards; and CDFI Native
Initiatives ($55 million). USDA: Rural Business Enterprise Grants ($40
million); Economic Impact Grants ($21 million); Rural EZs/ECs ($12
million); Rural Business Opportunity Grants ($3 million). HHS: Community
Services Block Grant ($727 million); Urban and Rural Community and Economic
Development ($33 million); Rural Community Facilities ($7 million).
Commerce: Economic Development Administration ($255 million).