Ganim urges city residents to protest federal budget cuts during National Community Development Week

Bridgeport – Mayor Joseph Ganim and the City of Bridgeport will be joining the National Community Development Association to celebrate National Community Development Week from Monday, April 17 through April 22. National Community Development Week is an annual observance that recognizes the uses and beneficiaries that Housing Urban Development (HUD) entitlement funds support within communities across the country. As a part of that, Bridgeport will celebrate the four separate grants that directly aid our residents: CDBG, HOME Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG).

Bridgeport is concerned about the proposed cuts in federal funding for the CDBG and HOME program. Mayor Ganim will join members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, City Council members, Citizen’s Union members, non-profit organizations, veterans and homeowners to protect these federal funds that support CDBG and HOME with a rally on Tuesday, April 18th at 9:30 a.m. at the Cardinal Shehan Center, 1494 Main Street, Bridgeport.

“The CDBG and HOME programs have supported and funded programs for our children, seniors, veterans, homeless, homeowners and shelters for over three decades,” said Ganim. “These programs play a fundamental role in our community.”

The CDBG and HOME program collectively provide funds and support more than 100 non-profits organizations that serve Bridgeport residents at large. The CDBG program provides a number of tools that local municipalities can use to generate jobs, support the growth of business districts and promote overall sustainability of our neighborhoods and economic vitality. CDBG also provides annual funding and flexibility to local communities to provide decent, safe and affordable housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities to low- and moderate-income people. The HOME program provides funding to local communities to create decent, safe, and affordable housing opportunities for low-income persons; and provides incentives for developers to create affordable housing among other things. HOPWA provides individuals with AIDs and their families housing. ESG provides rental assistance and utility shut off assistance among other things.

For more information contact the Office of Housing and Community Development Director Ginne-Rae Clay at (203) 576-7221.