FY 2011 TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT BILL INCLUDES FUNDS FOR ROCKLAND AND WESTCHESTER PROJECTS

Washington, DC--Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) voted today for legislation providing $200,000 for the Nepperhan Community Center in Yonkers, $350,000 for Joseph’s Home (Homes for Heroes) veterans facility in Rockland, and $2 million for Westchester County hybrid buses. The money was included in a bill to provide funds to keep our transportation system safe, secure, and reliable, and to ensure every American has access to adequate shelter.  H.R. 5850, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, which passed the House by a vote of 251 to 167, focuses on strengthening the economy and being environmentally responsible. 

The main thrust of the legislation is to invest in maintaining and improving our nation’s airports, highways, passenger rail and transit systems.  It also ensures all low-income Americans, have a place to call home by investing in programs for vulnerable populations, including Section 8 Rental Assistance, Housing for Persons with AIDS, and Housing for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities.

 “I believe the investments made in this bill are important steps in strengthening of our nation’s economy and infrastructure and in the revitalization of our hometowns.  The best way of doing that is to make sure our citizens have a decent place to live and safe and efficient ways of getting to work and connecting with other parts of the country.  The investments made here are long overdue, and will be extremely beneficial to the people of Rockland and Westchester, and the entire state,” said Rep. Engel.

The funding for the local projects includes:

• Renovation of the main level of Nepperhan Community Center, a facility utilized by much of the Yonkers community, and serves approximately 400-500 youths and adults daily throughout the year.
• Rehabilitation of an existing garage on a former vacant Army Reserve Center into a community room for veterans at the former Camp Shanks location for disabled and displaced veterans at Joseph’s Home in Pearl River.
• Replacement of several 60-foot articulated buses with new fuel-efficient hybrid buses for the Westchester County fleet.  This was secured by Rep. Engel in conjunction with Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-18).

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino said, "As County Executive, I am grateful to have the assistance of Representative Lowey and Representative Engel to ensure the appropriation projects were pushed forward. Attaining these hybrid buses will help our Westchester transit riders and will be an environmentally friendly use of transportation."

Legislator John Murphy, Chairman of the Board for Homes for Heroes said, “Rep. Engel has kept his word to stay the course to make sure returning veterans who are disabled and displaced can afford to rent a nice home in the suburbs.”

Dr. Jim Bostic, Executive Director of Nepperhan Community Center said, “The efforts that our Congressman, Eliot Engel, put forth to secure money for our agency will go a long way to revitalize the life of the facility, which is used by thousands and thousands of residents each year.  We are eternally grateful as this will help serve families who depend on our service each year.  On behalf of the Board of Directors and our staff, and all of our residents, we thank Congressman Engel for securing these funds.”

 “All of these projects will be very helpful in bringing improvements to all corners of the 17^th Congressional District, and I am pleased to have them included in this legislation.  All of the local organizations receiving funds are doing outstanding work on behalf of the people of the Bronx, Rockland and Westchester and I look forward to seeing the results of their efforts come to fruition,” added Rep. Engel.

H.R. 3288 also accomplishes the following, among the many provisions of the bill:

• $46.6 billion for the Housing and Urban Development Department.
• $45.2 billion for the federal aid highway program.
• $16.5 billion for aviation, including $3.5 billion for the Airport Improvement Program.
• $11.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration.
• $9.4 billion for the Section 8 project-based assistance account.
• $4.8 billion for the Public Housing Operating Fund.
• $4 billion for formula grants through the Community Development Block Grant program.
• $2.5 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund.
• $2.2 billion to assist the homeless.
• $1.8 billion for Amtrak.
• $1.8 billion for the HOME Investments Partnership program.
• $883 million for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• $825 million for elderly housing.
• $548 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
• $350 million for the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS program.
• $300 million for disabled housing.
• $202 million for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
• $77 million for the Economic Development Initiative.

This action was a major step in the appropriations process. The full Senate is also working on their version of the bill, and the differences between the two bills will be ironed out in
conference.  “I remain hopeful the funding contained in this measure, for the 17^th District of New York, will remain in the final version, and I am working with my colleagues to ensure it is,” added Rep. Engel.

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