Congress is proposing to cut funding to one of the country’s largest federal housing programs. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program began in 1974 and has provided billions of dollars to projects across the country. The program benefits low and moderate income households, domestic violence victims, formerly homeless persons, and youth across metropolitan Washington.

April 25-30, 2011 was the 25th anniversary of Community Development Week. To celebrate, and to highlight the role of CDBG in community development, COG and the region’s 21 local governments held an event to discuss the importance of CDBG and to take action to preserve the program.

This is part 1 of a panel discussion moderated by Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine Hudgins.