Local governments are responsible to their residents for maintaining communities where their people can live, work, enjoy recreational activities, and access services. Affordable housing, comprehensive community development, and well planned and coordinated land use foster communities that are vibrant, diverse and sustainable. Further, these are critical components to the economic vitality of communities and local economic regions for creating jobs and increasing municipal tax bases.
NLC supports the efforts of local elected officials by advocating for affordable homeownership and rental housing, including the funding of federal programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Partnership Program, and Section 8 vouchers. NLC also provides research, information, workshops and networking opportunities about affordable housing, land use, and community and economic development.
* Click here for the President Bush's Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Proposal for Housing.
New! State of the Nation's Housing Report. Click here to link to a new report, press release and other resources from Harvard's Joint Center on Housing Studies
Advocacy
2006 NLC Advocacy Priorities: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
2006 NLC National Municipal Policy
Community & Economic Development Chapter
Chapter 3.01 ? Community Development
Chapter 3.02 ? Financial Institutions
Chapter 3.03 ? Community Development Block Grant
Chapter 3.06 ? Housing
2006 CED Resolutions
Testimony & Letters
March 14, 2006 Letter to U.S House of Representatives re: Housing Policy
Representative J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Speaker of the House
Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Minority Leader
March 14, 2006 Letter to U.S. Senate re: Housing Policy
Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), Majority Leader
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Minority Leader
April 21, 2005 Letter to U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee
Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Chair
Representative David Obey (D-WI), Ranking Member
April 13, 2005 Letter to U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee
Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), Chair
Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), Ranking Member
March 17, 2005 Testimony by Robert Anspach, Mayor, Lebanon, PA
Subject: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Subcommittee of The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
of the U.S. House of Representatives
March 1, 2005 Testimony by Jim Hunt, Council Member, Clarksburg, WV
Subject: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
House Government Reform Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census
June 17, 2003 Testimony by Henry Marraffa, Council Member, Gaithersburg, MD
Subject: Section 8 Housing Assistance Program
Housing & Community Opportunity Subcommittee of the Financial Services
of the U.S. House of Representaves
April 2, 2003 Testimony by Willa Johnson, Council Member, Oklahoma City, OK
Subject: Reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Economic Development, Public Buildings & Emergency Management
Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
of the U.S. House of Representatives
Events
NLC is co-sponsoring Restoration 2006: Community and Economic Recovery After a Disaster in partnership with the International City/County Management Association and National Association of Counties. This new conference, to be held May 16-17 at the Sheraton New Orleans, is focused on post-disaster community and economic redevelopment. Visit the website registration and exhibit details http://www.restoration2006.org/ .
Resources
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Resource Page
Steps to Save CDBG and Legislative Activities
Examples: How Community Development Block Grants Are Used in America?s Communities
American Dream Campaign Webcast Site