Rep. Cleaver Secures $8.2 Million From THUD Subcommittee To Fund Multiple Projects in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District

July 13, 2021
Press Release

(Kansas City, MO) – Yesterday, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) passed their Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) appropriations bill to fund the Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies. Included in the funding bill was more than $8.2 million requested by U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) to fund five separate projects in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri.

"I am once again over the moon that all five of the projects I sponsored were included in the THUD FY22 appropriations legislation," said Congressman Cleaver. "All of these projects are critical to rebuilding communities, creating good-paying jobs, and generating economic activity that will enable Missouri families to thrive in the years to come. I will continue to advocate for this federal funding so that local communities in the Fifth Congressional District can build back better than ever before."

Earlier this year, Congressman Cleaver requested funding for five separate projects in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri related to the Subcommittee on THUD. All five of the projects were included in the legislation that was just approved by the subcommittee, including:

  • $3,000,000 for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to help provide affordable housing production in low-income neighborhoods, as well as homeownership education, down payment assistance, and minor home repair;
  • $2,800,000 million to build the MLK Park Pedestrian Bridge at Brush Creek to connect communities, schools, and affordable housing along the north and south banks of Brush Creek;
  • $1,259,000 to build a 4,400 sq. ft. Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center to answer the demand for a multi-purpose space that meets the needs of a growing and evolving Westside community in Kansas City;
  • $1,000,000 for the demolition and abatement of the former Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, Missouri, so the property can be transformed into 56 safe, affordable housing units for families; and
  • $200,000 to renovate the 33-year old Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building and add necessary ADA accessibility at the entrance and interior.

"As a former Mayor, I can tell you there are no better federal investments than those that directly uplift communities and stimulate local economies," said Congressman Cleaver. "With these generous investments in our congressional district, I have no doubt that we can come out of the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever. As the Appropriations Committee goes through the legislative process, I will give it all I have to ensure this funding is signed into law."

The legislation will now be taken up by the full House Committee on Appropriations before being considered by the House of Representatives. Once the bill is approved in the House of Representatives, it will need to be passed by the Senate before being signed into law by President Biden.

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; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.