Nonprofits lobby for their share Nonprofits lobby for their share (May 06, 2005)

Block grants slashed by federal government

By Allison Gerard

A cutback in federal funding to the city has placed several popular programs and public service agencies in danger of having their funding cut.

More than 20 housing and social groups tried to convince the City Council on April 19 why their particular program deserved funding in the annual process, but this year there are more requests than the funds will cover.

"What is unusual and challenging about this year is that there is less CDBG funds available," said Adriana Garefalos, the city's senior planner, referring to the federal grants known as Community Development Block Grants.

The city is receiving $133,330 in CDBG funding this year -- a 3.8-percent decrease from last year -- and funding requests from the 10 programs eligible for this money exceed that amount by about $16,000.

The Human Relations Commission met April 21 to review funding requests and prepare recommendations for the council regarding which programs to fund based on which ones best serve the community's needs.

Although commissioners voted on which programs they are backing, they did not vote on monetary amounts.

The HRC had expressed an interest in being more involved with funding for these programs, and this is the first year the commission has made recommendations to the council, Garefalos said.

"The HRC's input is meant to help the council, but not necessarily determine who gets funding," Garefalos said.

The 23 programs requesting money are divided into two groups depending on where they receive their funding -- the general fund of the CDBG fund. The commission ranked both groups according to which ones they feel best serve the community.

"No programs are low priority and it's making us uncomfortable to have to draw a line," said Chris Burley, commission vice chair.

Of the 10 programs requesting funding, the commission voted and placed five at the top of their list. The MayView Community Health Center, which provides health care for low-income families, topped the list. The Emergency Housing Consortium, Senior Adult Legal Assistance, the Community Services Agency's Senior Case Management program and the Second Harvest food bank were among the other programs ranked high.

If a program is ranked low by the HRC that does not necessarily mean its funding will be cut, but decreased funds and a low ranking are enough to make programs worried.

"If we were to lose a significant amount of funding from CDBG, it would have a pretty bad effect on our program," said Tom Myers, executive director of the Community Services Agency.

Four of the agency's programs are requesting money from either the CDBG fund or the general fund, but not all of them were ranked high by the HRC. Although the senior services program, which provides case management to seniors to help them maintain their independence, was ranked high, the senior meals program was ranked extremely low.

"Obviously, I feel the seniors meal program is vital, but I understand that the commissioners and council members have a very tough decision to make regarding funding," said Myers.

Of the programs that receive funding from the general fund, the Community School of Music and Arts was ranked highest. Other high-ranking programs were Junior Achievement and Rebuilding Together.

The council will make funding decisions at a May 10 meeting.
E-mail Allison Gerard at agerard@mv-voice.com

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