Mayor Landrieu Joins Coalition of Mayors and Organizations across Louisiana Asking Delegation to Protect CDBG, HOME Programs

NEW ORLEANS –- (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Mitch Landrieu wrote a letter urging the Louisiana congressional delegation to reject President Donald Trump’s Administration’s proposal to eliminate the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The letter is signed by other Louisiana mayors and community stakeholders that have benefited from these grants. This comes following the Trump Administration’s announcement of its 2018 budget proposal.

“HUD’s CDBG program is the most vital lifeline to cities and counties to get things done for real people on the ground. President Trump’s plan to cut critical CDBG funding used to build infrastructure and fund services to senior citizens, recreation and blight remediation, among others, will not make America great again.

“In New Orleans, over $11 million in HUD CDBG funds have enabled our city to invest in community health clinics, early childhood centers, summer enrichment for our youth, and help low-income seniors and homeowners make needed repairs to stay in their homes.

“President Trump wants to eliminate Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and access to affordable housing. In New Orleans, our recovery from Hurricane Katrina was supported by many of these programs. Over 1,600 rental units were built for low to moderate income families, over 700 homes were rehabilitated, and 956 families achieved the dream of becoming homeowners thanks to Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and CDBG funds. We built community spaces, art spaces and health centers, and fought blight with these funds.

“Budgets are moral documents. I hope President Trump will reconsider his plan to take away much needed funds from hard working Americans who are trying to get ahead.”

To view the Mayor’s letter to the congressional delegation, click here .