Short Takes

California Passes Pro-Tenant Bills

Echoing scores of reports about continuing bias in mortgage lending, a poll of 800 voters by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) found that Americans of all races still largely believe that the process favors white men. Pollsters Republican Frank Luntz and Democrat Jennifer Laszlo also conducted focus groups around the country. The work "confirms what we have known for years. Americans overwhelmingly believe in fair lending," says John Taylor, director of NCRC. Next step: explaining CRA to all these conscientious voters. NCRC: (202) 628-8866; www.ncrc.org

Great Economy for Whom?

Income gaps between high- and low-income families grew in 46 states throughout the 1990s, says a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the Economic Policy Institute. From the 1970s to the late 1990s, explosive growth in the incomes of the richest fifth (over 30 percent in 31 states) was paired with decreases in income for the poorest fifth in 18 states. In New York, for example, the top-earning five percent increased their income by an average of $108,000 per family, while the lowest earning 20 percent lost $2,900. By the late 1990s, average income of families in the richest 20 percent was over 10 times that of the poorest 20 percent. www.cbpp.org.

Habitat Finds New Volunteers

For Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Michigan having trouble turning out volunteer home builders, a collaboration with the Department of Corrections is easing their burden. Prison Build produces panelized walls for Habitat's construction sites. Unlike prison labor programs, Prison Build is voluntary, and prisoners who choose to participate learn marketable construction skills leading to a certification. Habitat says that feedback from participants who are glad for the meaningful work has been extremely positive. Ken Bensen, HFHM, 800-467-5430; Mike Green, Prison Build program, 517-241-7279.

Gun Buyback Reaction Lukewarm

HUD's much-touted gun buyback initiative launched in December has found a lukewarm reaction among the housing authorities in Colorado, reported the Denver Rocky Mountain News (12/23/99). Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Pueblo Housing Authorities all declined to apply for the HUD funds, partially because they were required to match them with a larger amount of their own money, which was already committed. Colorado Springs Housing Authority Director Richard Sullivan also criticized the plan for targeting housing authorities' residents as the problem. New York City, Kansas City, and Philadelphia also declined to apply for the funds. A scan of the HUD website shows many statements of support for the initiative, and examples of small-scale buy-back programs, but no numbers showing a related decrease in crime.

No Easy Answers

Does nearby subsidized housing lower property values? A new study in Housing Policy Debate (Vol.10, #4) says 'depends.' The research team found that a few well-kept Section 8 properties in a strong neighborhood actually raised property values, perhaps from the influx of government money or code inspections. But a concentration of Section 8 properties in an already "vulnerable" neighborhood lowered surrounding property values. Study authors attribute this in part to poor maintenance of Section 8 properties and behavior of Section 8 tenants in these neighborhoods. 

Hate Group Faces Fair Housing Act Violation

The white supremacy group ALPHA HQ, led by Ryan Wilson, faces charges of violating the Fair Housing Act, HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo announced January 17. ALPHA HQ's website, which is no longer online, labeled a picture of fair housing advocate Bonnie Jouhari, who is white, "race traitor," and stated "Traitors like this should beware, for in our day, they will be hung from the neck from the nearest tree or lamppost." It also carried an animated picture of Jouhari's office being blown up. Jouhari and her 16-year-old daughter fled the area following the threats. HUD's action is believed to be the first by a federal agency against a website. (See resolution of this case.)

Progressive Union-Busting?

Resistance to unions, and even union-busting tactics, are common even among "socially responsible" companies, reports Lisa Featherstone in Dissent, Fall 1999. Companies with progressive environmental and/or community images, including Ben & Jerry's, Whole Foods, Newman's Own, Working Assets, and Powell's Books have all recently been involved in bitter labor disputes. According to Featherstone, a progressive image is often used as a union-busting tool by companies who claim they are too enlightened or treat their workers too well to need a union. In fact, the Council on Economic Priorities couldn't find a single company in their files that had voluntarily recognized a union. Guess those activist shareholders still have some work to do.

Surprise! Providing Help Helps.

Social services have gotten a bad name recently. But a new study from HUD, The Forgotten Americans, finds that 76 percent of families interviewed and 60 percent of those living alone improved their living conditions after obtaining housing aid and services like healthcare, job training, and substance abuse treatment. The study interviewed currently homeless, formerly homeless, and clients of social service providers, and did not make any assessment of the quality or effectiveness of specific programs.

Copyright 2000

 Back to January/February 2000 index.