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House of Representatives considers appropriations bill that would slash funding to housing, transportation programs

By Smart Growth America, June 9, 2015

/></a>Today the House of Representatives will continue consideration of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill, which will set funding levels for nearly all federal housing and transportation programs in the coming year.</p> <p><strong>The House’s current version of the bill would slash funding</strong> for many of these programs, including grants and technical assistance programs at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Specifically, the bill:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Cuts funding for HUD’s HOME program</strong> from $900 million in FY15 to $767 million in FY16. HOME must be fully funded in addition to, not at the expense of, critically needed funding for the NHTF.</li> <li><strong>Cuts funding for HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods program</strong> from $90 million in FY15 to $20 million in FY16. Choice Neighborhoods supports struggling neighborhoods and aids in community revitalization.</li> <li><strong>Eliminates HUD’s Office of Economic Resilience</strong>, which has helped communities rebuild their economies, create jobs and improve economic development.</li> <li><strong>Cuts $200 million for new transit construction</strong>. This comes at a time when public transportation ridership is booming and cities of all sizes are looking to invest in new bus, rail transit, and bikeshare projects to help them stay economically competitive.</li> <li><strong>Slashes funding for USDOT’s TIGER program by 80 percent</strong> from last year’s level down to just $100 million. Over the past six years this competitive grant program has proven to be incredibly popular and effective, and its previous funding level was already inadequate to fulfill the huge demand for this program across the country. The program has funded innovative projects in communities of all sizes in all 50 states — and in districts both red and blue.</li> <li><strong>Cuts Amtrak’s budget by $250 million</strong>, just a few weeks after the tragic Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia and at a time when ridership is growing fast.</li> </ul> <p>The bill does maintain funding levels for HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program at $3 billion.</p> <h2>Take action</h2> <p>Members of the House will consider this bill later today, so <strong>now is the time to voice your support for these important programs.</strong> <a href=Send a letter to your Representative today >>

These programs help Americans live in safe, affordable homes in convenient neighborhoods with transportation choices. That’s important for families and it’s crucial for our economy. Tell your Representative not to cut these important programs.

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