Syracuse Common Councilors Wednesday approved what they fear might be the city’s last application for an annual allotment of federal grant money. The anticipated $4.5 million in year 43 of Community Development Block Grant funding is expected to come through as planned sometime this summer. But the program’s future is in question after President Trump proposed to cut it from the budget. Councilor Helen Hudson says CDBG currently comprises only three percent of the federal budget.
“How much is trimming that little bit of fat going to keep our federal budget intact?" Hudson wondered. "It's going to be detrimental for people that will cause them to lose their homes because they won't be able to take care of them. It'll cause us to shut down some senior programs like Meals on Wheels. That's problem for me.”
Hudson says the grant money is distributed to many programs that help community members in their daily lives or in times of need. She says the mayor, with support from the council, determines which programs to fund. 
“The administration looked at areas where we're weak, and we're weak in housing stock," Hudson said. "So a lot of it is geared toward housing. Then there are volunteer lawyers. They're new to this program. There are a lot of different entities that keep neighborhoods and people stablized.”
Hudson says after-school programs at community centers are also in jeopardy if CDBG funding is slashed in the future.
“Once these kids are out of school, these centers are a respite for these kids so we won't have to talk about the kids on the street corners causing carnage," Hudson said, referring to Trump's reference to crime in his inauguration speech. "These are things that help stabilize us.”
Hudson says nearly every program for seniors and children at Southwest, Westcott, and Northeast Community Centers would be impacted if CDBG funding cuts are approved by Congress.
