On the recordMarch 16, 2011
I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding. Today we are here again not to discuss any piece of legislation that will create jobs, but to eliminate a program that helps communities across the country--and I state, communities that are helped across the country. The Neighborhood Stabilizing Program allows local governments to purchase, rehab, and sell foreclosure properties. Without these programs, houses would stay empty--and I say, would stay empty--so we would have to look at our neighborhoods and other areas, causing the value of property to plummet. Local neighborhoods would be forced to use their own funds for maintenance measures and legal fees. Additionally, any empty properties also force communities to adjust and deal with the missing tax revenue--and I say, missing tax revenue--at a time that we need the additional revenue within our communities. A lot has been made by my colleagues on the other side about one particular group that receives NSP funds, Chicanos por la Causa. What if it was another name? It doesn't matter. But because it has the name of ``Chicanos,'' the stereotypes and the images are there. It is about programs that are doing good, not because of the name that is there. Chicanos por la Causa has unmatched records of providing affordable housing, stabilizing neighborhoods, and serving the needs of low-income communities.…
