The Eastern Idaho Special Services Agency is asking for a donated warehouse and $2.5 million in funding that Congress cut last September. 

 Currently, Idaho’s share of the Community Services Block Grant, which funds EISSA has a 2006 fiscal budget that is 25 percent of its 2005 funding.  Nationwide, social service agencies are expecting to be hit with cuts as well.

 “The Community Services Block Grant has been on the chopping block since George W. Bush came into office,” said Sheryl Bailey, EISSA Community Services Director. “So many things are pulling at the money: Pakistan, Iraq, Katrina and Rita.”

 Congress began looking at billions of dollars in budget cuts effecting mainly social services such as CSBG in October.  Funding cuts are a result of billions of dollars invested in hurricane recovery and the War on Terror.

 CSBG was added to the Labor and Health and Human Services bill which failed to pass the U.S. House last Thursday leaving the Food Bank and other social programs in Idaho in jeopardy.

 “Right now, CSBG funding is undetermined,” said Chelsea Penrod, appropriations coordinator for Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho).  “Most likely CSBG will be funded under a continuing resolution.”

 State officials who administer CSBG funds have been in contact with Idaho’s Congressional delegation.

 “The explanation we have been getting is they are trying to cut the deficit,” said Mary Chant, executive director of Community Action Partnership of Idaho who helps administer the CSBG for Idaho.  “They are trying to cut spending, looking to offset those expenses in domestic programs.”

 If EISSA’s budget is not renewed, it will shut down the Haven Homeless Shelter in Idaho Falls, and have a major impact on the food bank and in rural outreach offices scattered throughout EISSA’s nine county coverage area.

  “So many people would be touched negatively if the CSBG was cut.  We are very concerned about the low income population in Idaho,” Chant said.