Oppose Cuts tp Housing Programs

OPPOSE CUTS TO HOUSING PROGRAMS -- (House of Representatives - June 29, 2005)

(Mr. CLEAVER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, later today, the House will consider the Transportation, Treasury, HUD, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2006. While I commend the Committee on Appropriations for rejecting the President's Strengthening America's Communities Initiative, which would have transferred the Community Development Block Grant from HUD to the Department of Commerce for consolidation of 17 other programs, I am concerned with the gross underfunding of HUD programs in this bill.

The good and decent people around this Nation need to know that the Department of Housing and Urban Development's programs are primarily designed to address the housing and community development needs of disadvantaged communities. Unfortunately, the House bill slashed its funding for a number of vital Federal programs that have been central to the revitalization efforts underway in our Nation's cities, including Kansas City, Lee's Summit, and Independence, Missouri. The bill proposes to fund CDBG at $250 million below fiscal year 2005 levels and provide zero funding for important programs such as section 108 loans, Youthbuild, Brownfields, Hope VI, and Empowerment Zones.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in opposing these cuts.

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While we have all heard the Administration tout national homeownership rates, it is confusing because the House majority has proposed cutting programs that are designed to increase the homeownership rates for lower-income and minority households. These actions demonstrate that some in this legislative body seem more interested in securing tax breaks for the wealthiest 2 percent than they are in closing the homeownership gap or the creation of affordable housing.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in opposing these cuts.

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