Sequestration and Public Housing in Cleveland

We never would hVendor Marsha (bird costume) and Ron with CMHA Riverview in the backgroundave imagined that Congress would drive the bus over the edge.  They had nearly two  years to work out a deal, and they could not do it.  So, it was only a coincidence that we scheduled both Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program staff at the CAHA meeting on the first business day since Sequestration had started.  On Monday March 4, 2013, the Cuyahoga Affordable Housing Alliance meeting will feature Scott Pollock, Director of Planning and Activities for CMHA will discuss Public Housing in the days of Sequestration.  The meeting is at 1:30 p.m. at the HUD offices 1350 Euclid Ave. in the Playhouse Square neighborhood will also feature Priscilla Pointer Hicks of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. 

Both programs have faced repeated budget cuts over the last five years, so will be especially hard hit with sequestration.   We have not heard many specifics on how this will impact the local community especially the low income residents of Cleveland.  We will post some of the consequences of Sequestration for Public Housing and the Voucher program next week.

Here are the cuts that will take place this year nationally:

$199 million cut from public housing
$96 million cut from Homeless Assistance Grants
$17 million cut from Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS
$19 million cut from Housing for the Elderly
$175 million cut from Low Income Home Energy Assistance

Next months CAHA (April 1) will feature Ruth Gillett of Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services to talk about the impact of budget cuts on homeless programs.

Brian Davis

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