Nelson shows support for housing programs

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) recently signed onto a letter to the Appropriations Committee requesting funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 202 and 811 programs.

These two housing programs provide grant funding for the development of supportive housing and rental assistance for very low-income seniors and disabled individuals.

The letter requests that funding for these two programs in FY11 be maintained at FY10 enacted levels, which is consistent with the President’s 2012 budget at $757 million for Section 202 and $196 million for Section 811.

The Senator also signed onto a letter requesting “the highest possible funding” for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs). The CDBG program helps fund a wide range of activities, including homeownership assistance, housing rehabilitation, public improvements, public services, and economic development projects.

The CDBG formula allocation is at its lowest funding level since 1992, and Nelson, a longtime supporter of the grants introduced this year Senate Bill S. 887, which would increase the portion of CDBG funding that may be used to provide public services from 15% to 25% to give cities increased flexibility.