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For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Eric Behna (ebehna@nascsp.org , 202-370-3662)

(March 18, 2019, Washington, D.C.) - The Trump Administration released additional details for its FY 2020 budget proposal today and once again turned its back on the nearly 40 million Americans living in poverty. The budget calls for the elimination of three programs critical to low-income families - the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). NASCSP Executive Director Jenae Bjelland said:

“Attempting to dismantle our nation’s social safety net has sadly become par for the course in this administration. We are confident that Congress will reject this budget and provide robust funding for critical programs that enable States and local communities to lead the fight against poverty.”

CSBG continues to serve over 15 million Americans each year through a delivery network of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies in 99% of U.S. counties. Community Action Agencies provide workforce development, education, health services, housing support, and other critical bridges out of poverty.

WAP has provided comprehensive energy efficiency retrofits to over 7.4 million homes since 1976. Every dollar spent on weatherization returns $4.50 in energy savings, health, and safety benefits. The program also supports jobs and small businesses in our communities.

LIHEAP meets the home heating and cooling needs of over 6 million low-income households each year, 70% of which contained someone who was elderly, disabled, or a child. LIHEAP ensures that families do not have to choose between paying their energy bill or buying other necessities like food and medicine.

NASCSP is committed to working with our partners at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure there are adequate resources for these vital programs. CSBG, WAP, and LIHEAP all receive strong bipartisan support and we urge our leaders in Congress to protect low-income Americans in the House and Senate appropriations bills.

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NASCSP represents the administrators of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) in all 50 states, DC, and five U.S. territories. For more information visit www.nascsp.org