Local agencies fear proposed HUD cuts

Jace Radke

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999 | 9:43 a.m.

The homeless population in Las Vegas may feel the pinch if funding cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development are passed by Congress.

A total of $1.6 billion may be chopped out of HUD's budget, which would result in a drop of more than $2.2 million in funding for Las Vegas, HUD State Coordinator Ken LoBene said.

"We've never experienced a cut like this and the timing is horrible," LoBene said. "We're just starting to see some positive impacts in our programs, and it would be a shame to see devastated people who really need help not getting it."

The cut would force Las Vegas service providers, such as MASH Village and the Shade Tree Shelter, to provide an estimated 202 fewer housing units for low-income families.

It is also estimated that that service providers would work with 69 fewer homeless people or HIV-infected people in need of shelter, and that 92 jobs in the community would be lost.

In the state more than $8 million would be lost due to the cuts, LoBene said.

"Places like MASH and Shade Tree would feel this cut because the federal pot they draw money out of would be smaller," LoBene said. "Many times portions of these funds are used by organizations to fund positions. That is where the job impact will be."

The House Appropriations Committee made the cuts in July, and the full House is expected to vote on the proposed HUD budget in September. The Senate has yet to act.

HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo has questioned the cuts in light of the national surplus.

"Cuts that Congress is considering to HUD's budget would deprive 97,000 people of jobs, 156,000 families of affordable housing and 16,000 families and individuals who are homeless or have AIDS of vital housing assistance," Cuomo said. "At a time of unprecedented prosperity, Congress shouldn't rob the poorest Americans to provide reckless tax cuts and create a new deficit.

"Now is the time to invest in a brighter future for people and places left behind."

HUD funds were used in Las Vegas last winter by Clark County for emergency homeless shelters. Other service providers that make use of HUD funds include Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, the Women's Development Center and the Salvation Army.

Local HUD programs such as "continuative care" would also lose ground because of the cuts, LoBene said.

"Continuative care has won awards for the help it provides people in moving from a homeless situation to getting a job and a home," LoBene said. "It provides a full spectrum of assistance to help people get back on their feet.

"It's been a very valuable program in Las Vegas, but may take a step back with these cuts."