Mayor: "Critical Junction" for Community Development Funding

said yesterday U.S. Sen. John Kerry was "very supportive" of communities' concerns over potential cuts to federal Community Development Block Grants.

As part of a series of meetings Warren will hold across the state, the Newton mayor met with Kerry, New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang, community members and New Bedford officials yesterday to discuss the severity of the possible reductions. 

"We're at a critical junction in funding for the (CDBG) program," Warren said, noting a House vote to cut the current fiscal year CDBG funding by 62.5 percent. "That would be devastating for communities," Warren said.

Warren is holding the meetings as part of his role as chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayor's Community Development and Housing Committee. The Newton mayor has had numerous meetings in Washington D.C. on community development funding, .

By joining together with mayors like Lang, Warren hopes to engage the community on the importance of the funding and the programs it provides.

Money from the CDBG program, Warren said, is crucial to Newton services that help working families find childcare as well as building and protecting affordable housing.

Members from the New Bedford community also attended the meeting -- which was held at the New Bedford Art Museum -- and pointed out the need for CDBG funding in their community to help services such as fuel assistance programs for residents.

"I’m all for deficit reduction, but we can’t balance deficit on the backs of the poor," Warren said. "We shouldn’t be in position not to invest in economic recovery."