City programs walk political tightrope

Denise Cardinal

Friday, Jan. 30, 1998 | 9:56 a.m.

More than 50 city of Las Vegas programs are funded by what many experts see as a highly unstable source -- federal grants.

The programs range from after-school activities to home renovations for low-income families. They are dependent upon almost $4 million the city is now receiving annually from the U.S. Department of Housing through its Community Development Block Grant program.

What will happen to the programs if the federal government, determined to balance the budget and end the deficit, cuts back sharply on such funds?

"You worry every year because it's so important," said Sharon Segerblom, director of the city's Neighborhood Services department. "The city actually got a slight increase in funding this time because of the increase in population."

But most cities saw a shot over the bow, a 3 percent decrease, Segerblom said.

Steve Sachs, community development director for HUD's regional office in San Francisco, said the CDBG program survives year to year, and that cuts could come without warning.

"Every year, like other programs, it's got to compete for federal funding," Sachs said. "This year, $4.6 billion was allocated, the same as last year. But there are more communities applying and I'm not even factoring in inflation."

Ron Utt, with the Washington, D.C.-based Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said Sachs and Segerblom have reason to worry. He said the trend now is to change and downsize such programs.

"It's more social welfare," Utt said. "A lot of it goes toward things like job training, which has proven to be not very effective in getting people jobs."

Segerblom, who has lobbied at the federal level for the CDBG funds, is keeping her fingers crossed.

"Big city mayors are a powerful lobbying force," she said. "No one wants it to go away. It really does make a difference in the community."

At least 70 percent of all CDBG funds must be spent on activities for low- to moderate-income residents.

Las Vegas uses the money to help pay for such programs like Safekey, the after-school program offering arts and crafts, tutoring, and other activities to students whose working parents don't get home until well after school lets out.

Most elementary and junior high schools conduct Safekey program, servicing about 3,000 students within the city.

Other projects paid for by CDBG funds in Las Vegas include the Variety day-care center, the expansion of the Doolittle Senior Center and the building of a children's dental-care wing at the Community Health Center.