COSCDAFederalFundingPrioritiesForFiscalYear2016.pdfVIP

COSCDA Federal Funding Priorities For Fiscal Year 2016 The Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA) is a forty-one year old advocacy organization that represents state community development and housing agencies responsible for administering Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program and the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Programs. These programs meet critical housing and community development needs and have played a major role in the transformation of both urban and rural neighborhoods in all fifty states since their inception. A bedrock principle that the organization was built on supports the view that state and federal government should be partners in the administration of community development programs. It is COSCDA’s foundational premise that a collaborative approach between states, local and the federal government is vital to the effective administration of these core programs and ultimately to the vitality of communities across this nation. COSCDA members are united behind the premise that there must be a balance that protects traditional state authority, allowing states to continue focusing on state-driven priorities and maintaining maximum flexibility to meet the needs of cities and towns large and small in every state. Over the years, this threefold partnership (state, local and federal) has resulted in stronger communities. Combined with the substantial leveraging that these funds generate on an annual basis, continued federal investment through HUD’s community development programs will continue to result in powerful impacts on individuals and community well-being by supporting economic growth, education, employability, community health, and job creation. COSCDA is committed to consistent, adequate resources to be available for communities to design