Introduction BUDGET OUTLAYS In 1975, the major new outlay item is the new appropriation request for the Better Communities Act, for which outlays are estimated at $560 million. That amount represents an estimate only, and actual outlays in the program will be governed by the rate at which cities utilize the amounts made available to them. The amount is not a control level, but it represents a preliminary estimate of what city decisions on their programs may produce. Actual outlays may be higher or lower, depending on the kind of city programs that are carried out. The 1975 Budget as submitted to the Congress includes also an estimate of $7.4 billion in outlays for fiscal year 1976. This estimate represents, essentially, an estimate of the implications of the decisions assumed in the 1975 Budget, The major elements of budget outlays are shown in the following table and a detailed breakdown appears in the summary tables following this discussion. In addition, each program justification includes an identification of the budget outlays for that program. The estimate does not represent a commitment or decisions on amounts which will be proposed for submission in the FY 1976 Budget. Introduction Planning and Management (except New Communities) and Community Development. Included are programs to implement legislative proposals now pending in Congress--the Better Communities Act and the Responsive Governments Act. 3. New Communities Administration. This new Administration was formerly under Community Planning and Management and has now been organized as a separate entity. 4. Policy Development and Research. Policy analysis and evaluation functions previously in the Deputy Under Secretary's Office were combined with those of research and technology under an Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research. APPROPRIATIONS The 1975 Budget proposes appropriations of $5.1 billion, an increase of about $1.6 billion from fiscal year 1974. The major elements of the increase are $2.3 billion for the Better Communities Act, $405 million for payments for assisted housing and $35 million for comprehensive planning grants. These increases are substantially offset by decreases as a result of the discontinued use of the Urban Renewal, Model Cities and Open Space Land programs. The increase in 1975 is offset also by 1974 supplemental appropriation estimates of $373.6 million for the restoration of losses in the following funds: Special Risk Insurance Fund ($92 million); Special Assistance Functions Fund ($278.8 million) and Flood Insurance Fund ($2.8 million). The major elements of appropriations are summarized in the following table. The summary tables following this discussion show the request in more detail; and each request is addressed in the remaining parts of these justifications. a/ Does not include Disaster Relief Funds appropriated to the b/ Consists primarily of appropriations for administrative expenses Introduction BUDGET OUTLAYS In 1975, the major new outlay item is the new appropriation request for the Better Communities Act, for which outlays are estimated at $560 million. That amount represents an estimate only, and actual outlays in the program will be governed by the rate at which cities utilize the amounts made available to them. The amount is not a control level, but it represents a preliminary estimate of what city decisions on their programs may produce. Actual outlays may be higher or lower, depending on the kind of city programs that are carried out. The 1975 Budget as submitted to the Congress includes also an estimate of $7.4 billion in outlays for fiscal year 1976. This estimate represents, essentially, an estimate of the implications of the decisions assumed in the 1975 Budget, The major elements of budget outlays are shown in the following table and a detailed breakdown appears in the summary tables following this discussion. In addition, each program justification includes an identification of the budget outlays for that program. The estimate does not represent a commitment or decisions on amounts which will be proposed for submission in the FY 1976 Budget. Introduction EMPLOYMENT AND OPERATING EXPENSES The total full-time permanent employment of the Department for June 30, 1975 is planned to be 14, 156, or 619 below the revised 1974 estimate of 14,775. This reflects, primarily, a continuing decline in the staffing of housing production and community planning and development programs as a result of reduced workload in these activities. June 30, 1974 totals are 774 higher than the 14,001 originally budgeted in the 1974 Budget and reflects changed workload conditions. These estimates reflect the assumptions contained in the 1975 Budget with respect to several workload intensive programs, such as the level of FHA activity and the Better Communities Act as submitted by the Administration. Nevertheless, the exact levels of employment required will depend on the nature of the legislation enacted by the Congress and the timing of such enactments, as well as possible changes in workload trends under continuing programs. sequently, while the employment estimates in the Budget are based on current assumptions, they will be re-examined later in the current fiscal year. Con Employment levels for the Department contained in the 1975 Budget are summarized in the following table, and more detailed breakdowns may be found in the summary tables following this discussion. |