Friday, Oct 28 2011 1:29PM
The New York Times and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities recently stated their displeasure with funding cuts for HUD.
At least one major organization and media outlet have come out against proposed bills by the House of Representatives and Senate which would substantially cut funding to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The agency requested a budget for fiscal year 2012 of $3.8 billion. However, separate bills in the House and Senate would provide HUD with less than half of its requested funding for next year.
Low-income communities nationwide would be negatively affected by a budget cut for HUD, including those with residents who depend on grants from the agency to help them pay for affordable housing, said the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
"These reductions in funding would come in spite of the fact that the number of low-income families experiencing severe hardship due to the lack of affordable housing — which HUD has termed, 'worst-case housing needs' — has increased by more than 40 percent since 2001," the Center stated.
Additionally, the New York Times published an editorial condemning the proposed bills, stating the cut to HUD's budget would be "foolish" given that millions of families depend on the agency to meet basic needs, including housing and infrastructure repair and development.
The paper added that roughly 6,000 jobs associated with HUD construction and infrastructure projects would be eliminated if the budget cut is approved.
For further reference, check out these sources:
The New York Times,
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities