Federal grant dollars fall short of projections; local groups to feel effect

The city will receive 21 percent less money than anticipated through the Community Development Block Grant program, and that means local food pantries, the senior center and facilities that serve low- to median-income residents will have to get by with less.

The federal government released its final 2012 numbers and the $864,509 allocated for Wauwatosa was dramatically different then the 2011 allocation, which the city's block grant committee based its recommendations off of last fall.

Members of the block grant committee recommended any cuts be spread equally across all applicants, city planner Jennifer Ferguson said in a memo. The Budget and Finance Committee will discuss new funding levels tonight.

For instance, the Hart Park Senior Center was expected to receive $105,362, but that funding is now reduced to $83,600. In another case, the Lutheran Home would receive $190,000, down from $240,000, to make facility improvements.