CEDO and partners celebrate National Community Development Week

Vermont Business Magazine Mayor Miro Weinberger today issued a proclamation supporting the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program by recognizing National Community Development Week, April 2-9, 2018. Spearheaded by the National Community Development Association (NCDA), National Community Development Week serves as an opportunity for the City of Burlington to celebrate its significant successes in providing housing, economic resources, and community services to thousands of Burlingtonians under federal grant funding.

This year marks the 44^th anniversary of the national CDBG program. Now in its 27^th year, the HOME program provides grants to over 600 local jurisdictions to create safe, sanitary, and affordable housing in communities nationwide. Both programs are administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Over the past six years, the City of Burlington has used CDBG and HOME funds to support our most vulnerable Burlingtonians by providing access to housing and economic opportunity,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “I am proud to designate the week of April 2-9, 2018 as National Community Development Week in support of these two valuable programs, which have made tremendous contributions to the viability of the housing stock, infrastructure, public services, and economic vitality of our community.”

“Our Community and Economic Development Office is proud to seek and administer these funds to serve Burlington’s low and moderate income communities, including seniors, those experiencing homelessness, and entrepreneurs,” said CEDO Director Noelle MacKay. “With the support of the Mayor, and our federal delegation, we look forward to continuing to use this vital funding to create economic and housing opportunities for our city’s diverse community members.”

Events this year include:

• Monday, April 2 – At 5 PM on City Hall Steps, Assistant Director Marcy Esbjerg read a proclamation regarding April as Fair Housing Month.
• Tuesday, April 3 – At 11 AM, CEDO Director Noelle MacKay joined Governor Scott in his Ceremonial Office in the Statehouse to recognize former CEDO AmeriCorps member Princess Beth Awaitey as a recipient of the Governor’s Service Award for volunteerism and community service
• Tuesday, April 3 - At 12 PM, Mayor Weinberger, City Hall staff members and AmeriCorps members served lunch with area seniors at the O.N.E Community Center. As a celebration of the 6^th annual National Service Recognition Day, participants from the Family Room, AALV, and multiple City Departments came together to create a multigenerational, multicultural and multidepartmental community development service event.
• Wednesday, April 4 – From 4:00 to 6:30 PM, CEDO will host an Open House and Community Celebration in Contois Auditorium in City Hall. In recognition of National Community Development Week, we are highlighting the work done by CEDO and valued community partners with Community Development Block Grant and HOME funds for our most vulnerable residents. Highlighted at 5:30PM, Mayor Weinberger will present three awards to honor and celebrate the exceptional professionals and volunteers who make our community great.

CDBG Funding Supports Burlington’s Diverse Community Members

The CDBG program assists local governments – rural, suburban, and urban alike – in providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities for all community members. Burlington has leveraged CDBG funds to develop infrastructure, provide housing and health services, and spur economic opportunities for our city’s diverse community members, including youth, elderly, people experiencing homelessness, and entrepreneurs:

• In Burlington in 2016, over 550 homeless persons benefited from shelter assistance and services under CDBG funds. A CDBG-funded agency assisted over 1,069 people with tax assistance. Accessibility improvements were completed at a local senior facility.
• CDBG funds have been critical in advancing infrastructure and housing assistance initiatives. Home sharing, home-based senior services, and other housing retention assistance helped over 219 Burlington residents remain housed and living independently and ensured 64 affordable rental units were renovated and 40 new units constructed and leased in 2016.
• CDBG funds propel economic opportunity. In 2016, CEDO provided technical assistance to 33 current or potential entrepreneurs andthe Women’s Small Business Program facilitated entrepreneurial training for 29 women interested in starting businesses. These initiatives resulted in a combined 14 new businesses and 18 business expansions within Burlington in 2016.

CDBG has been cut by $1 billion since Fiscal Year 2010, yet the need for comprehensive community development initiatives in Burlington continues to grow. This coming year, President Trump is recommending the elimination of both of these important programs.

We applaud the work of Vermont’s federal delegation, including Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Congressman Peter Welch, in supporting CDBG and its critical role in addressing current and emerging community development needs. We encourage residents to contact our legislators and thank them for their continued support of CDBG and HOME funding:

Source: City of Burlington 4.4.2018