Milestone comes during time of budget cuts that limit reach of programs

WHO:  Community Development Block Grant program managers, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, Little Rock City Board

WHAT:  Mayor Stodola issuing proclamation marking 40 years of the Community Development Block Grant and recognizing community partners who provide services throughout the community

WHERE:  Little Rock City Hall, City Board Room located at 500 West Markham Street, Little Rock

WHEN:  Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at the beginning of the City Board meeting which starts at 6:00 p.m.

LITTLE ROCK – Mayor Mark Stodola will issue a proclamation Tuesday supporting the Community Development Block (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program through the celebration of National Community Development Week, April 21 – 26, 2014.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the CDBG program. Enacted into law in 1974, the CDBG program is the principal federal program providing grants to states, cities and counties to devise neighborhood approaches that will improve the physical, economic and social conditions in communities. The HOME program provides grants to states, cities and counties to create safe, sanitary and affordable housing conditions in communities nationwide.

The CDBG and HOME programs are administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and locally by the City's Housing and Neighborhood Programs Department.

“Community Block Grant and HOME funds have been vital to continued development of neighborhoods throughout the City of Little Rock,” said Andre Bernard, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Programs. “Community partners assist in meeting the goals of our action plan which include rehabilitating owner-occupied housing, constructing wheelchair ramps, serving meals on wheels and operating senior center programming among many others.”

Little Rock has received $16,796,659 in CDBG funds and $9,677,723 in HOME funds over the last ten years which have been invested in public infrastructure, services and housing for local citizens. Dozens of organizations and facilities receive these funds to provide these services.

“CDBG grants are so important to the work Carelink does to support the seniors in this community,” said Elaine Eubank, President and CEO of Carelink. “Our meals on wheels program would serve far fewer people without these funds.”

Both programs have been cut significantly at the federal level in the last several years, with CDBG being cut from $4.4 billion down to $3.03 billion and HOME being cut from $1.825 billion to $1.0 billion. These programs are needed more than ever to help citizens and improve the overall condition of our neighborhoods.