Sept/Oct 1996
Short Takes
- In a city often referred to as "the People's Republic of Santa Monica," complaints have prompted city government to take a more hard-line approach toward the homeless. In August, the city made loafing on walkways and in other nonsanctioned areas punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine, The New York Times reported. Other new laws prohibit
sleeping on the beach or bathing in the fountains. Existing measures have
also been more strictly enforced. In addition, while more money than ever
is spent on social services in the city (about $2 million a year, with
half coming from the federal government), services now mainly benefit those
who demonstrate a willingness and ability to leave the street. "This city
has been at war over the last couple of years," said Mayor Paul Rosenstein.
"Laissez-faire just wasn't working and we saw the need for a surgical strike..."
But some residents disagree with this shift in the city's attitude toward
the homeless. "This is part of an ongoing evolution away from embracing
progressive solutions," Robert Meyers, a former city attorney who
was fired for refusing to curtail a homeless feeding program on the City
Hall lawn, told the Times. "We now have a mediocre City Council
that wants to move towards a law and order approach to social problems.
And the end result will just make things harder for the poor."
-
Four states have developed programs to help advance local housing trust
funds, reports the Center for Community Change's Housing Trust Fund
Project. First among these efforts was the Tennessee HOUSE program
begun in 1988, which collects revenues from several sources for county
and city housing trust funds. In 1992, Pennsylvania passed the Optional
County Affordable Housing Funds Act, allowing all counties, except Philadelphia,
to increase their recording fees to fund affordable housing. That year,
Florida also passed the Sadowski Act, dedicating funds from general revenue
and an increase in the documentary stamp tax to several state-run housing
programs, and a new state housing partnerships initiative, which transfers
revenue to counties and cities for local affordable housing programs. In
1993, Washington state passed legislation enabling counties, cities, and
towns to impose additional property tax levies to support affordable housing.
For more information, contact Mary Brooks, Housing Trust Fund Project,
1113 Cougar Court, Frazier Park, CA 93225; 805-245-0318.
-
The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) has appointed
former HUD official Helen M. Dunlap as its new president. Dunlap
has more than 15 years of experience in housing and community development
and most recently served as HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations
at the Federal Housing Administration, where she oversaw a $400 billion
multifamily and single family insurance fund. Previously, Ms. Dunlap was
CEO of the California Housing Partnership Corporation, which she helped
move from legislative concept to an organization with a national reputation
for affordable housing preservation. "National leaders are not focusing
on the impact of housing needs of people with low incomes," Dunlap said
in a statement. "A strong, broad-based political housing constituency is
essential to confront these growing attacks on housing programs. I am pleased
to join the NLIHC at this pivotal time." For more information, contact
Penelope Yorke, 202-662-1530, ext. 229.
-
The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) was recently awarded $13.5
million under HUD's Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP).
HAC predicts the money will lead to construction of at least 1,350 new
homes by low-income families. The money will pass through HAC as loans
and grants to groups purchasing or developing building sites for low-income
families, who will then construct their own homes through a self-help housing
program. None of the $13.5 million will be used for administrative purposes,
HAC reports. The money will primarily help established self-help housing
organizations in rural areas acquire property and build infrastructure.
For more information contact: HAC, 1025 Vermont Ave., NW Suite 606, Washington,
DC 20005; 202-842-8600.
-
In late September, France issued a draft anti-poverty plan that it estimates
would create 300,000 jobs and 100,000 subsidized homes over five years.
The proposal would also allow homeless people to vote, and would make it
easier for poor families to obtain subsidized housing as a family unit.
France has seen many protests and much social unrest over cutbacks in government
services, the New York Times reported, and the proposal is intended
as a fulfillment of president Jacques Chirac's campaign pledge last year
to heal the country's social divisions. The plan requires approval by the
French Parliament.
-
The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NNRHA) recently
honored 35 low-income residents for efforts to improve their educational
and job readiness skills. Honorees have participated in NNRHA's Family
Self Sufficiency and Family Investment Center programs, which provide educational,
vocational, and life skills training to residents of public and Section
8 housing. Those honored included 13 public housing residents who now own
homes; graduates of NNRHA-sponsored job skills and computer training classes;
and graduates of job training in construction, elderly services, and janitorial
services. NNRHA has 123 families active in its Family Self Sufficiency
program, and 87 participants in its Family Investment Center. For more
information, contact Phyllis Huling, NNRHA, P.O. Box 77, Newport News,
VA 23607; 804-247-9701.
-
The Minnesota Housing Partnership last spring sponsored a workshop
on local opposition to affordable housing. The workshop, using the work
of the San Francisco-based organization HomeBase as a model, provided a basic primer on local opposition issues, including the cultural, economic, and policy factors influencing the citing of affordable housing. The Livable Communities Act, a set of incentives and planning requirements that encourage the development of affordable and life-cycle housing, was also discussed. For more information, contact Carilee Warner at the Minnesota Housing Partnership, 612-874-0112 x104.
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