Res. No. 1849
Resolution calling on Congress and the President to prevent cuts to the Community Services Block Grant Program.
By Council Members Williams, Wills, Brewer, Chin, Comrie, Eugene, Koppell and Mendez
Whereas, The federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, provides funds to alleviate both the causes and conditions of poverty within communities; and
Whereas, With the support of CSBG funding, states and Community Action Agencies (CAAs) work together to achieve the following goals for low-income individuals: (1) increased self-sufficiency, (2) improved living conditions, (3) ownership of and pride in their communities, and (4) strong family and support systems; and
Whereas, The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), as the designated CAA for New York City, is the local grantee for CSBG funding; and
Whereas, As the city's grantee, DYCD currently administers and distributes funds to support 200 community based organizations that provide a broad range of services to 30,000 residents in 43 low-income neighborhood development areas; and
Whereas, Federal sequestration, required by law, is triggering a series of automatic, across-the-board cuts to government agencies to produce approximately $85.4 billion in spending reductions for federal fiscal year 2013 with similar cuts planned for federal fiscal years 2014 through 2021; and
Whereas, Federal sequestration budget cuts began on March 1, 2013 and will affect DYCD's CSBG funded initiatives for the city's fiscal year 2014 by five percent, decreasing the agency's budget for such measures from $31.7 million to $30.1 million; and
Whereas, Decreased CSBG funding would be devastating for every low-income community within New York City because it would cause DYCD to severely reduce or eliminate programs for youth, families, seniors, and immigrants; and
Whereas, Adequate funding for the CSBG program is critical as supported programs provide comprehensive services to fight poverty benefitting our communities; and
Whereas, Although the largest portion of DYCD's overall budget is funded through City tax levy dollars, federal financial support is crucial in ensuring that the agency's programming is made available to communities throughout the city which need this assistance which may not be possible without CSBG funding; and
Whereas, The reduction of CSBG funding threatens to erode the support that the City provides to low-income families and individuals to increase their self-sufficiency, improve their living conditions and better their economic and social well-being, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on Congress and the President to prevent cuts to the Community Services Block Grant Program.
AS
LS 4742
6/19/13