# Plain Language Summary: Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2022

This bill is designed to make sure that poor communities across America get a fair share of federal government funding and assistance programs. Right now, many neighborhoods and counties that struggle with poverty don't receive funding proportional to how many people live there. This bill aims to change that by requiring the federal government to deliberately direct more money and resources to areas where poverty is persistent and widespread.

The bill starts by having the Census Bureau create and maintain an official list of which areas qualify as "areas of persistent poverty." These include neighborhoods where at least 20 percent of people live below the poverty line, and counties that have had high poverty rates consistently over the past 20 years. The government will update this list every year so it stays current. Once these areas are identified, the Office of Management and Budget (essentially the government's financial management office) has to develop a plan to increase federal investments in these communities. This could affect programs related to infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic development, and other services that receive federal funding.

The bill requires the government to track and report back to Congress every year about how much money is actually going to these struggling communities and whether the effort is working. Independent auditors will also check on the program's effectiveness. The goal is straightforward: communities dealing with persistent poverty should receive more than just their proportional share of federal resources—they should get extra help to address their challenges. The bill sets aside $5 million to pay for the staff and work needed to implement these changes.

Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2022

Clyburn, James E.

Targeting Resources to Communities in Need Act of 2022 This bill addresses funding for areas of persistent poverty. Specifically, the bill requires <ul> <li>the Bureau of the Census to publish a list of all areas of persistent poverty and annually update the list; </li> <li>the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop and implement guidance and measures to increase the share of federal investments targeted to areas of persistent poverty and other areas with high and persistent poverty, and to report annually to Congress; and</li> <li>the Government Accountability Office to report on the measures implemented by the OMB under this bill, including an assessment regarding the impact of the measures on increasing federal funds spent in the affected areas.</li> </ul>