National CAPACD Rejects the Administration’s FY 19 Budget,
A Continued Attack On #OurNeighborhoods

The Administration released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 19) yesterday, which includes massive increases in funding for the military and a border wall at the cost of crucial social safety net programs. National CAPACD vehemently rejects this budget as it reinforces this Administration’s lack of concern for the needs of our communities and #OurNeighborhoods.

If this budget passes, the future of working families and communities of color in America will be in severe jeopardy. Similar to last year’s budget proposal, the Administration proposes deep cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the elimination of several block grants and decreases in rental assistance programs. The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), a National CAPACD advocacy partner, provided an in-depth analysis on the proposed cuts to HUD and other selected agencies, which can be found here.

The plan also calls for major cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides heat to low-income families in the winter. Additionally, this budget would significantly decrease the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit while tightening the employment requirements necessary to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which are benefits and programs that working-class and low-income individuals and families rely on.

Seema Agnani, Executive Director of National CAPACD states, “The FY 19 budget proposal is unacceptable and signals, yet again, the Administration’s dismissive attitude towards the needs of communities of color and low-income Americans. The proposed plan would stagnate the collective progress we have made for our communities and prevent vulnerable Americans from accessing social safety net programs, generating wealth, and protecting their families.”

National CAPACD will continue to advocate for a budget that is accountable to the needs of all Americans and urges Congress to reject this Administration’s proposal. We need robust funding for affordable housing and other social programs that provide our communities and #OurNeighborhoods with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in this country.