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Feb. 13, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: I write in part to congratulate the leadership of Goshen for securing a Community Block Grant that will fund their new community center. Goshen Mayor Tom McCraw is right to be excited about the great opportunities that the new space will afford the residents of the Goshen area.
Just to be clear, however, I would also like to note that the funds for this project - funds that the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development has administered since 1982 - come to the commonwealth through the federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) which, in turn, is one of the services provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The deep roots of HUD go back to 1965 and President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty.”
At the present time, the Trump administration and Elon Musk have thoroughly disrupted Congress’ work to settle a funding bill for 2025 by their attempt to freeze funding for thousands of federal programs, including HUD’s programs like the CDBG. The money already granted to Goshen is likely already advanced and not in jeopardy. Nevertheless, the disposition of future requests for similar important projects will depend on whether HUD continues to be funded or, for that matter, to exist at all.
So, while I rejoice in Goshen’s successful bid for a federal grant, I hope other Virginians will reflect upon ways that our votes directly impact the community well-being of neighbors in Virginia and beyond. Defunding the HUD and other vital federal programs runs counter to progress for us all.
RAMONA BOUZARD Rockbridge County
