CHICAGO,
IL – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today at a news conference
was joined by Philip Jackson, CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority, and
others to call on Congress to pass a VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations
bill that meets the needs of Chicago's and our nation's housing and community
development priorities.
Schakowsky,
a member of the House Banking Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity,
warned that the Chicago metro area would lose millions of dollars in federal
housing and community development funds and grants if the House passes
the appropriations bill that funds the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) in its current form. The full House of Representatives
is expected to vote on the bill in early September.
"Federal
funding plays a major role in providing cities like Chicago with the necessary
tools to develop successful community development programs, to increase
the availability of affordable housing, and to provide shelter and assistance
to homeless seniors, veterans, families and children," Schakowsky said.
"Tragically,
we are witnessing a crisis in the making," she added. "Some in Congress
have failed to see the importance of these programs and refused to listen
to the needs and requests of mayors and local officials. Instead,
they chose to gut the HUD budget and refused to adequately fund the housing
and community needs of our country. We cannot let this happen."
Schakowsky
is leading the efforts to defeat this bill and is working to ensure that
future legislation contains adequate funding for housing and community
needs and economic development programs.
In
a letter earlier this month, Mayor Daley had urged Schakowsky to support
increased funding levels for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program, the HOME Investment Partnership program, the Clean Air Partnership
Fund and the Brownfields Initiative in the VA, HUD Appropriations bill.
However, the Community Development Block Grant program, a successful initiative
widely supported by mayors throughout the nation, is $275 million below
the President's request. This could result in 33,000 people nationwide
not receiving homebuyer assistance or the opportunity to build or buy a
home.
"The
Community Development Block Grant program and other vital initiatives have
improved the quality of life for millions of residents in our city and
our nation. Yet, at a time of unprecedented economic growth, some
in Congress choose to cut these programs and use the funds to subsidize
a tax cut for the wealthy and special interests," Schakowsky said.
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