Bonamici Leads 37 Bipartisan Members in Calling for $250M for Anti-Poverty Grants in COVID-19 Relief

WASHINGTON, DC [05/11/20] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) led 37 bipartisan Members in calling on House leadership to include an additional $250 million for Community Service Block Grants (CSBG) in the next COVID-19 response package.

The CSBG program supports more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies, which have been providing holistic assistance to poor and low-income communities across the country for years. During the coronavirus pandemic, the demand for their services has increased and the agencies have found that many of their clients have never before sought or needed help.

"I've spoken with several Community Action Agencies in Northwest Oregon about the increased demand for their services in light of this pandemic," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "These organizations are on the frontlines, offering holistic services that will help families survive this crisis. We must provide more funding to the more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies across our country to meet the increased demand for assistance. I'm pleased to be joined by 37 of my bipartisan colleagues in calling for an additional $250 million to support the work of these critical agencies."

"Rep. Suzanne Bonamici's leadership in helping communities respond to the current pandemic crisis is both necessary and remarkable," said David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation. "On so many issues that affect low-income individuals and families, Rep. Bonamici is the recognized leader in Congress. Families all across the country will benefit from her commitment and tireless support."

"All of us have been impacted by the effects of COVID-19, but the real impact on our most vulnerable community members has yet to be felt," said Dan Brown, Executive Director of Community Action Team, Inc. "We know the need is significant, much greater than the available resources. The flexibility of CSBG will be an invaluable tool as we serve individuals and families trying to piece their lives back together."

You can read the full letter here and below. In addition to Bonamici, the letter was signed by: RepresentativesJim McGovern, Betty McCollum, Lori Trahan, Anthony Brindisi, Elise Stefanik, Barbara Lee, Ayanna Pressley, Mark Pocan, David B. McKinley P.E., Glenn "GT" Thompson, Abby Finkenauer, Jim Costa, Gwen Moore, Chellie Pingree, Antonio Delgado, Jenniffer González Colón, Susan Wild, William R. Keating, G. K. Butterfield, Salud O. Carbajal, Brian Fitzpatrick, Vicente Gonzalez, Joseph D. Morelle, Bennie G. Thompson, Brenda Lawrence, Filemon Vela, Peter Welch, Peter DeFazio, Debbie Dingell, TJ Cox, Henry Cuellar, Andy Levin, Dave Loebsack, Dan Meuser, Hal Rogers, Gerald E. Connolly, and Joe Courtney.

The first CARES Act passed by Congress included $1 billion for CSBG, but there are still significant unmet needs.

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy:

As we craft the next coronavirus relief legislation in our response to the coronavirus pandemic, we urge you to appropriate an additional $250 million for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the nationwide network of more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies that CSBG supports. These local antipoverty agencies have been on the front lines since the outset of the crisis, responding to an explosion of needs in poor and low-income communities and serving clients who never before sought or needed help.

Congress recognized the unique ability of Community Action Agencies to act quickly and effectively in the current crisis by including $1 billion in the CARES Act for CSBG and Community Action. Importantly, Congress also increased the eligibility criteria for CSBG services to 200 percent of poverty, providing essential flexibility to meet the wide-ranging needs of a growing clientele. As local agencies plan use of these new funds, the magnitude of the problem has grown exponentially and additional resources are critical.

Community Action is different from other programs that provide a particular service; Community Action works holistically to address whatever is necessary to resolve a short-term crisis or a longer-term barrier to self-sufficiency. Because of its flexibility, Congress has turned to the Community Action network before in times of crisis. During the financial crisis a decade ago, Congress appropriated $1 billion for CSBG in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Our nation's Community Action Agencies are once again stepping up to help in a crisis. We urge you to support their efforts with additional resources.

Sincerely,