Cornyn Warner Introduce Bill Promoting Partnerships for Community Rehabilitation 

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Tools on Our Local Streets (TOOLS) to Rehabilitate Communities Act to allow Community Development Block Grants to be used to create partnerships with nonprofit organizations for the revitalization of neighborhoods housing rehabilitation and disaster relief efforts. This bill would provide additional flexibility for localities by allowing them to partner up with nonprofit organizations especially helping recovery efforts when a disaster happens" said Sen. Cornyn. By bringing nonprofit resources and expertise to the table these grants can be more effective in making Americas neighborhoods better places to live and work." For decades this federal grant program has helped local and state governments address their development needs by improving housing access ensuring suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities. It makes sense that nonprofits who similarly play a critical role in providing assistance and resources to these communities should have access to this funding. This commonsense bill helps ensure that we are fully leveraging nonprofits tools and know-how to help revitalize neighborhoods and create jobs" said Sen. Warner. Background:

• Strengthens Community Development Public-Private Partnerships with Nonprofit Organizations.The Tools on Our Local Streets (TOOLS) to Rehabilitate Communities Actmakes nonprofit organizations that provide tools equipment or other resources used to complete community development or rehabilitation projects eligible for funding through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). CDBGs provide federal assistance to state and local governments in support of local neighborhood revitalization housing rehabilitation and community and economic development. CDBGs are also used to help localities recover from presidentially-declared disasters.
• Increases Awareness of New Opportunity. This legislation requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to notify current CDBG grant applicants and awardees of the new opportunity.
• Requires HUD to Identify Improvements for Community Development Partnerships with Nonprofits. This bill requires the HUD Secretary to report on current opportunities for partnerships to complete community development revitalization or rehabilitation projects and existing challenges.

Senator John Cornyn a Republican from Texas is a member of the Senate Finance Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.