* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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NACo Action Alert - CDBG Funding
FOR the purpose of joining the National Association of Counties in urging the Honorable Members of the 112th Congress to preserve the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) formula funding for FY11; respectfully requesting the Maryland Delegation to protect the total $25,179,425 in anticipated CDBG funding for Baltimore City in FY 2010- 2011; and urgently calling upon the President to maintain the integrity of the 36 year-old CDBG program.
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Recitals
The National Association of Counties has issued an Action Alert to its membership to contact members of Congress to urge a freeze in formula funding for the CDBG program that, in its 36th year, is "arguably the Federal Government's most successful program - a success that stems from its utility in providing cities, counties and states with the flexibility to address their unique, affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization needs."
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports that, in the last 6 years, CDBG has:
· Assisted 865,873 low- and moderate-income households through single family and multifamily residential rehabilitation, homeownership assistance, energy efficient improvements, and lead-based paint abatement.
· Created or retained 259,346 jobs for low- and moderate-income households through such public improvements as development of senior centers, centers for the disabled and handicapped, health and child care centers, parks and recreation facilities.
· Benefitted nearly 23 million low- and moderate-income households through such public services as employment and training, youth services, crime awareness/prevention, fair housing activities, mental health services, and services for abused and neglected children.
The major focus of Baltimore City's CDBG program is on physical and social development activities to achieve the program's primary objective to develop viable communities, principally for persons of low- to moderate- income, by providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and through the expansion of economic opportunities. At least 70% of CDBG funds must be used for these activities. The CDBG regulation specifies 26 eligible activities that are eligible for funding, meeting at least 1 of the following national objectives:
· Providing benefit to low- and moderate-income persons.
· Aiding in the elimination or prevention of slums and blight.
· Meeting an urgent need (usually a national disaster - hurricane, flood, earthquake).
In addition to non-profit entities, agencies of City government anticipate CDBG funding to support various activities:
· Abandoned House Demolition Initiative - $1,000,000 to completely demolish properties that pose an immediate threat to public health and safety.
· Baltimore City Health Department - $500,000 to assist with lead, code, and structural work needed to complete lead paint hazard reduction services in homes occupied by children.
· Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts - $51,300 for Bright Starts Program that provides free after-school art instruction for youths 7 - 15. Baltimore Mural Program - $65,000 to work with neighborhood groups and artists to abate graffiti.
· Commission on Aging and Retirement Education - $403,800 to provide services to the elderly to maintain their emotional and physical well-being.
· Deferred Loan Program - $750,000 to provide loans to very low-income homeowners whose properties are in critical need of repair.
· Department of Housing and Community Development:
- Indirect Costs - $1,045,494
- CDBG Office & Contracts- $1,282,807
- Child Care Centers- $1,028,073
- Community Action Centers - $ 949,418
- Home Ownership Institute - $ 331,682
- Office of Rehabilitation - $ 920,531
- Research and Strategic Planning - $ 836,716
- Administrative Direction and Control - $ 836,716
· Department of Planning - $1,118,523 to prepare city-wide Comprehensive Rezoning, and to develop the City's Capital Improvement Program.
· Department of Public Works - $1,896,018 for the cleaning and boarding of vacant structures.
· Department of Recreation and Parks - $257,324 to provide recreational, educational, cultural, after-school and summer programs for low- and moderate-income youth.
· Rat Eradication Program - $114,000 for citywide rodent control services.
In total, nearly 100 non-profit and public agencies are depending on CDBG funds to continue to provide much needed services to low- and moderate-income residents of Baltimore City. Today's economic climate has exacerbated the need while at the same time diminishing the number of entities able to provide services. It is imperative that the successful 36 year-old CDBG program be held harmless.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body joins the National Association of Counties in urging the Honorable Members of the 112th Congress to preserve the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) formula funding for FY11; respectfully requests the Maryland Delegation to protect the total $25,179,425 in anticipated CDBG funding for Baltimore City in FY 2010- 2011; and urgently calls upon the President to maintain the integrity of the 36 year-old CDBG program.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the President, the Mayor, the Maryland Delegation to the 112th Congress, the Director, CDBG Office and Contracts, the Executive Director, Mayor's Office of State Relations, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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