From: Ellen Campbell [mailto:ECampbell@greenfieldhousingauthority.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 3:39 PM
To: Comments
Cc: John Cariddi
Subject: RIN 3064-AC50
Dear Sir,
I have been following the proposed changes to the CRA with interest, and
wish to comment from my point of view.
I work with low income families in Franklin County, Massachusetts. My job is
to work with these families over a five year period and to assist them in
learning to become self sufficient. After welfare reform, we have had a good
success rate - in fact, most have graduated in three to four years. The
"easier case" clients are now working because of our job, financial, and
personal coaching - and many have bought homes.
What concerns me, is that most of the families we are now working with have
higher barriers than those who have already successfully completed our
program. Most of our current clients have no job skills or poor work
histories, little education, and inadequate personal skills to make it on
their own. Many have disabilities that require even more assistance from our
program, and a longer time period for even marginal success.
With less government funding for social services in the area, we depend on
local funding to run programs for our clients. And there is a lot of
competition for that scarce resource. If CRA funding is reduced, we will
have to resort to selling cookies and washing cars to keep our programs
running. We don't require a lot of help, but the banks here have been
providing small grants to help our agencies. I'm concerned that if their
requirements are deminished, they will not be as willing to help.
Please think about our small agencies in rural areas when you make the
decisions that affect our ability to help those who are most vulnerable in
our communities.
Thank you for reading my comments.
Sincerely,
Ellen Campbell
FSS Coordinator
