Congressman Cleaver Votes for House Omnibus Spending Bill that Increases Housing Funding

(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II voted to increase Community Development Block Grant funding as part of the larger Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Spending bill. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 256-167. The Omnibus is backed by the White House and passed the Senate Friday morning. There were significant gains in the passage of this bill, including increases for Community Development Block Grants, (CDBG's), which initially faced steep cuts in President Trump's budget proposal.

"Instead of strengthening communities, President Trump proposed to eliminate funding for the HOME Program and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Both of these programs have played an important role in helping residents in our own community," said Congressman Cleaver.

A portion of CDBG funding goes to states, but a large portion is allocated directly to cities and counties annually. In the Fifth Congressional District, the cities of Kansas City, Independence, Blue Springs, and Lee's Summit all receive direct CDBG funds, which they use to provide decent affordable housing and expand economic opportunities for residents.

"It is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households," Congressman Cleaver said.

Congressman Cleaver continues to work on expanding housing opportunities, especially in rural America and small towns, which, in many cases, have not seen new or improved housing units in more than a decade.

The final bill also contained a $2.37 billion increase for Child Care Development Block Grants - the largestsingle-year increase in the program's history.

Congressman Cleaver was also pleased to see that the House omnibus spending bill included an increase of $2.8 billion in treatment, prevention and research programs within the Department of Health and Human Services for mental health and opioid addiction.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov.