Could affect local programs for needy, disabled and seniors.
By: Joseph Harvie
The needy in the township will receive less help from the federal government this year than they have in the past, local officials say.
Community Block Grant funding to the township, which is provided by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and distributed by Middlesex County, is expected to be reduced by at least 10 percent, from $98,000 last year to $88,200 in 2005, said Ellen Gambatese, chairwoman of the township Housing and Community Development Citizens Advisory Board.
The advisory board is recommending that block grants go to programs and projects that benefit disabled residents, seniors and the township Food Pantry.
Members of the Township Council said last week that the council planned to cover the difference between the 2004 and 2005 federal grants.
John Sully, executive director of the Middlesex County Department of Housing and Community Development, said the county received 5.4 percent less federal funding for the program this year. However, he said grants to municipalities would be cut 10 percent to ensure that the county would be able to make additional grants later in the year.
He said grant funding is down because more money was needed to provide for an increase in federal Section 8 housing, which is subsidized by HUD, and because HUD is providing less money to the county overall.
Mr. Sully said the entire block grant program could be wiped out if President George W. Bush’s proposed 2006 federal budget is approved.
"The budget proposes the elimination of community development block grant program in its present form," Mr. Sully said.
South Brunswick’s block grant committee made its recommendations to the Township Council on Feb. 8. The council will vote Tuesday.
Under the committee’s recommendation, the public library could receive $25,500 for its expansion project to install an elevator. Ms. Gambatese said the elevator qualifies for HUD funding because it would bring the library into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ms. Gambatese said HUD wanted municipalities to use the money for construction projects rather than salaries. She said Mr. Sully advised her that without a construction project, the township’s entire grant application could be declined.
"They feel more secure with their dollars in concrete things not salaries," Ms. Gambatese said. "They feel the township should be picking up the salaries and we should have more facilities built with those salaries."
The elevator would cost the township about $71,000, said Ron Schmalz, township public affairs coordinator. He said the township plans to apply for a separate $45,000 grant through the county to cover the remaining cost.
The committee also recommended $15,000 for Citizens for Independent Living, an organization that provides transportation, job coaching, affordable housing and housekeeping instruction to people with developmental challenges.
Ms. Gambatese said CIL asked for $20,000 but the advisory board could only recommend $15,000, because of the cuts in the program.
The money will be used to help the CIL Woods facility on Route 522 with food preparation and storage and for training for CIL employees, Ms. Gambatese said.
Ms. Gambatese said $9,800 could be designated for signage and service for the Sensory Garden built in Veterans Park, a handicap-accessible garden with shrubs, flowers and trees in raised flower beds so they can be easily seen and enjoyed by those who use wheelchairs.
The Senior Center also could receive $15,000 to pay to keep a part-time social worker on staff at the township-run center, Ms. Gambatese said. Ms. Gambatese said the funding would be a decrease from last year’s $20,700 grant for the social worker.
The township would set aside $12,000 for housing rehabilitation programs for people who meet low-income guidelines, Ms. Gambatese said. Residents would apply for grants, which would be distributed to those with safety needs.
"They apply for assistance with making repairs to their homes that are especially tied into their safety, such as crumbling steps, they might need a railing that they can’t afford, or they might have roof that is leaking that they can’t afford to fix on their own," Ms. Gambatese said.
In addition, the advisory board recommended that Vera Schwartz, a member of the advisory board, receive $6,000 as a stipend to cover the time and effort she spends reviewing the housing rehabilitation grants.
"She also has to arrange for the implementation of repairs and she has to follow up on it," Ms. Gambatese said. "It is very time-consuming."
Charleston Place, a senior citizen affordable housing community, could receive $2,400 this year, which would be used to pay for a service coordinator/social worker, and $1,500 to cover the cost of cooking dinner for residents in the community.
"They do get Meals on Wheels for lunch, but it is the evening meals the staff is concerned about," Ms. Gambatese said. "The staff will cook and have them come to meeting room and have them eat in the meeting room and eat as a group instead of in their houses alone."
The Food Pantry could receive $1,000 through the grant program.

