Where is the Outrage??

A couple of weeks ago the local Housing Authority announced more cuts due to a 10% reduction in funds from 2004 budget. What happened to the outpouring of good will from the hurricanes? We are approaching the two month mark since Hurricane Katrina, and then we survived Rita and Wilma, and now the federal government is now squeezing our own Public Housing Authority! This is a shortfall in the 2005 budget to say nothing for the expected cuts for 2006 and all the other programs that serve poor people that could take a hit.

We need a strong vibrant public housing authority that assists with moving people out of poverty. For the last five years, the agency has attempted to meet federal requirements, by not reducing any housing in the face of regular cuts. There is no allegations of fraud or waste, and yet they have struggled to stay afloat in the face of shrinking revenue and increased expenses.

How is this possible? Cleveland is not dissimilar to New Orleans. We have a large population that lives everyday in poverty. We cannot afford even one reduction in the number of affordable units of housing. We cannot absorb any reductions in Medicaid, Food Stamps, or reductions in our Job Training program. How hypocritical for federal officials to express concern over the poor and disenfranchised left behind in New Orleans and then turn around and force a 10% cut in funding for CMHA. Disgraceful.

Brian
Posts by Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless staff and Board.