by Julio Barreto
The discussion on an economic stimulus package by leaders in Washington, D C. represents the best chance for Hispanic housing and community development advocates to see a potential Increase in funding this year.
Washington is going to be mired in presidential politics in 2008. As a result’ the most substantive work to come out in 2008 will be this stimulus package and a 2009 budget.
There is a chance that other initiatives will pass during a presidential election year. Yet the budget, which will fund federal programs in fiscal year 2009’will be the only legislative measure Congress will pass this year affecting the Hispanic and other housing and community development communities.
Here are a few things Latino advocates and organizations working in those fields can do in 2008 that will help their cause:
- EMPHASIZE JOB GAINS: Highlight the leverage of your programs. It is important in discussing the stimulus package that you show how much financial leverage, i.e. private sector jobs, is generated by your programs locally. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Home programs are great examples of federal dollars that stimulate the local economy.
The public housing program is another that generates private businesses in construction and services. This type of information is critical to secure funding for your community in a stimulus package. - FINANCIAL EARMARKS: Do you have a specific initiative you want funded?
A project for seniors in one of your program areas? Talk to your congressional representatives about placing “earmarks” in the next budget. Earmarks, commonly known as pork, are specific items a member of Congress slips into an appropriations bill for a project in his or her district. During an election year, they provide a great way to fund a specific project. Although Congress reduced the percentage of “earmarks” by 50 percent in FY 2008 compared with FY 2006, it is unlikely they will be eliminated altogether. In FY 2008 $179.8 million was appropriated for Economic Development Initiative (EDI) “earmarks” and another $46 million for neighborhood Initiative “earmarks” within CDBG. Examples of HCD “earmarks” in FY 2008 can be accessed at: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi.?dbname=110_cong_reports&dorid= f:hr497.110.pdf. (Pages 599 thru 806). - MORTGAGE CREDIT CRISIS: The economic stimulus package is designed to ease any short term recession caused by the current credit crisis. Additional legislation may be offered. Therefore, it is important that you, your agency and your organizational representatives are active participants in the discussion on the credit solution so it does not adversely affect access to the bond markets for tax credit production and low-income homeownership initiatives. Efforts must be made to push Congress, the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to represent your interests in this matter.
- DISTRICT VISITS: Election year it gets them Invite your congressional delegates to as many photo opportunities as possible. Whether they come or no is irrelevant. During an face time in front of your activities and provides you with a chance to promote your agency’s work and to illustrate that you are a valuable resource to your congressional representatives and their staffs… You should also invite the opponent as well; however~ protocol certainly calls for the incumbent to be invited.
- PRIVATE INVESTMENTOPPORTUNITIES: Learn as much as possible about the Community Reinvestment Act. CRA is legislation enacted 30 years ago which requires banks to invest in low income communities. Here is a web site with useful information: http://www.ncrc.org/. The more tools you are able to use outside of the normal HUD structure, the more successful your agency will be.
- VOTE: You need to vote and encourage others to vote. Your vote does count and will have a huge difference in both the local state and national election. Hispanic Link. -Julio Barreto worked for NAHRO for 13 and was legislative director for 10. He has worked in and around Washington politics for 26 years. He can be reached at jmsbarreto@comcast.net.
