Kemp Makes Good on a Promise : Every cent of $6-million grant to rebuild Los Angeles is badly needed

Jack Kemp, outgoing secretary of housing and urban development, has delivered on the promises he made to his old hometown in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots. In one of his final acts before the Democrats take over, Kemp has directed $6 million to help rebuild the city. Every penny is needed.

The HUD secretary’s economic aid package stands in sharp contrast to the empty promises made in the immediate wake of the riots by President Bush and many Congressional leaders. Those promises for more federal assistance, enterprise zones and other help for urban areas were lost to partisan and regional politics. As Republicans and Democrats battled and suburban representatives tussled with urban members of Congress, Los Angeles ended up with little or nothing.

Kemp, on the other hand, expedited $6 million in community development funds, which are controlled by HUD, for Los Angeles. The federal funds will be split between Rebuild LA and Rep. Maxine Water’s (D-Los Angeles) Community Build. The grant requires each group to provide $1.5 million in matching funds. Both nonprofit organizations belong in the mix of what it will take to lure more jobs to poor areas and train more workers for those jobs.

In addition to the federal funds, Kemp also announced last week that the AFL-CIO will funnel $10 million from pension funds into housing efforts. That union money will finance new construction and rehabilitation. The AFL-CIO’S commitment will result in more jobs, and more places to call home in South-Central Los Angeles. Other pension funds should also be put to work in poor neighborhoods.

During his tenure as housing secretary, Kemp proved that he has both a head and a heart. But as he leaves HUD, the challenges remain: Millions of Americans need decent housing and jobs.