In September, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson requested the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to not reduce Boise City’s funding under a grant program geared toward housing improvements, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and other community development activities. Last week, Congressman Simpson was notified that the funds will continue to be allocated to the City of Boise.
 
“It is important that our government be flexible to meet the needs of the people,” said Simpson. “I’m pleased the Department of Housing and Urban Development recognized the need to reevaluate this case. In the end, the Department decided to continue to provide the necessary funding to the Boise’s Community Development Block Grant.”
 
Because of HUD’s regulations, the City of Boise’s Community Development Block Grant program funds were at risk for future years. HUD requires communities to use their CDBG funds 60 days prior to the end of the fiscal year to ensure that program funding is being put to good use. Because of circumstances beyond their control, the City of Boise had not spent their entire grant funding by the August 2nd deadline, leaving the program in jeopardy of losing funding in the future.
 
Once these problems were addressed the City made rapid progress and met their expenditure goals before the end of the fiscal year. Congressman Simpson acted as a liaison between the City and HUD to help promote the City’s planned use of Community Development Block Grant funds and ensure that the City did not lose future funding.
 
In a letter to the City of Boise the Department writes, “Boise has continued to improve its performance . . . consequently, the Department has reconsidered its decision to reduce Boise’s FY 2007 grant as articulated on Sept. 7, 2007. The Department has rescinded its decision to reduce the FY 2007 grant and no corrective action will be taken with respect to Boise’s failure to comply with the timeliness standard this year.”