Monterey, CA Sequestration Hits Low-Income Seniors, Families And Children's Agencies

View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

The budget drama continues to play out in Washington D.C., with both the House and the Senate passing stop gap legislation this week which will avoid a government shutdown, through December at least.  Republicans were able to get across-the-board spending cuts (known as sequester) without having to make any major concessions to the Democrats.  President Barack Obama argued strenuously against allowing the $85 billion in budget cuts go through because of the negative impact that it would have on our economy, but he was unsuccessful.  Sadly, as usual, the ones hit the hardest by the budget cuts will be the ones who can least afford it.  In just one example, the Monterey Herald reported today that the Housing Authority of Monterey County will lose about $850,000 in federal money because of the sequestrations, and they are not prepared for it.  "We're operating in the blind," the authority's finance director, Lynn Santos, told the Herald.  This is money given to landlords for individuals who need assistance paying their rent.  About 3,700 people rely on the Section 8 funds and the agency will be hard hit staff wise because 31% of its administration fees, which pay primarily for its 82-person staff, are being slashed.  The Area Agency on Aging, which is trying to implement its 2012-2016 plan to help low-income senior citizens, has also been hit hard by budget cuts.  Virtually every agency helping low-income seniors is being hit by the sequestrations.

Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands To Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.