Specter, Whitehouse Introduce Legislation to Authorize Community Safety Funding

Press Release

U.S. Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced a bill that would authorize federal funding for the Community Safety Initiative (CSI), a program of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) that brings together community development organizations, local law enforcement, and other partners to revitalize troubled neighborhoods. This bill would establish a consistent funding structure for the CSI, helping this innovative program as it seeks other sources of financial support.

"This legislation will provide needed resources to communities across the country that are suffering from crime and housing problems, as well as other issues," Senator Specter said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to fix these problems."

"Rhode Islanders have seen the extraordinary good CSI's efforts have accomplished in our state, and we want to do all we can to support its work in the future," Senator Whitehouse, a former Rhode Island U.S. Attorney and Attorney General who created the state's first nuisance task force to clean up derelict properties, or properties used for crime, in distressed communities, said. "Authorizing this program will give LISC added leverage as it seeks federal funding in the future."

CSI is a national program that transforms distressed communities across the country through more affordable housing and crime prevention. It is spearheaded by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which provides capital, technical expertise, training, and support to community-based development organizations and others working to restore and rebuild neighborhoods.

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