HUD Steps Up in Texas - After 2008 Hurricanes Ike & Dolly, the federal government provided restoration funds to the Texas coast, but instead of directing those funds to the most damaged areas and those with the fewest resources to address their needs, Texas' plan was to spread the money around the state and gave the local governments broad authority on how the funds would be spent. Two affordable housing groups protested, and HUD rejected the state's plan, and forced the state to negotiate an equitable agreement with two advocacy groups.
In New Berlin, Wisconsin, low income housing tax credit developments have recently faced strong oppostion from condo owners and single-family homes, who use the oft-heralded (but seldom proven) claims that the apartments will hurt their property values and bring crime. The apartment complex did receive its LIHTC funding commitment, although the city planning commission has rescinded a parking waiver it had previously granted. And in Kenosha, WI, two LIHTC projects are facing intense opposition from neighborhood residents. It's always fun to read the comments below the articles.
Charlotte, South Carolina has faced intense pressure lately as the city has attempted to disperse low-income housing, with multiple locations being shot down by homeowner opposition. But the affordable housing advocates in Charlotte continue to look for acceptable sites.
And in Dallas, an attempt to place homeless housing units in an existing apartment complex has resulted in a bitter contest with homeowners and many city council and neighborhood meetings, and a local housing watchdog is closely monitoring the situation after the decision was delayed. Stories 1 2 3 4 5 6 In the midst of this, the Dallas Housing Authority plans to use 160 homes for the homeless and formerly incarcerated. A HUD complaint was filed last week over siting for chronically homeless housing in the Knoxville, Tennessee area.
In Grapevine, a Dallas suburb, city planners proposed a mixed-use zoning district around a future transit stop, only to have the mayor state "To even consider this is the biggest shock I've had ... as mayor. We need to keep multifamily out or abandon the historic district." Query -- apartments = density = transit ridership ... so how does it make sense to promote a TOD mixed-zoning district without apartments? To say nothing of transit-equity issues and the need in particular for affordable housing near transit to reduce the huge housing+transportation burdens of lower income families.
In Orchard Park, New York, a local non-profit proposed to build an apartment building for lower income senior citizens, and the city denied their rezoning, after asking to see rosters of the zip codes of the residents of an existing seniors' low income development. The zoning denial was ostensibly based on concerns of providing services, and the loss of industrial land.
And the town of Freemont, Nebraska has passed a law making it illegal to hire or rent property to illegal immigrants. They should Google "Farmers Branch, Texas" on this issue (they have spent $2 million dollars trying to uphold their anti-immigration measures). Federal judges have struck down both attempts by that city.
Showing posts with label Public Housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Housing. Show all posts
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Galveston Public Housing Redevelopment Issues
Galveston County Daily News
Rhianon Meyers // February 15, 2010
The Galveston Open Government Project, a watchdog group critical of the Galveston Housing Authority, has sent a direct appeal to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, urging him to freeze all federal funding to the agency and order officials to develop a countywide housing authority.
David Stanowski, cofounder of the group, wrote to Secretary Shaun Donovan that the housing authority is violating fair housing laws by concentrating public housing on the island.
Dispersing public housing throughout the more affluent areas of Galveston County, instead of concentrating it in Galveston, will give public housing residents a “better chance to escape from poverty,” he wrote.
“Rebuilding public housing in the only city within Galveston County trapped in a long-term state of decline, and just beginning a multiyear recovery from a hurricane, also forces its tenants to live in the city with the lowest median household income, the highest crime rate, and one of the lowest-rated school systems in the county,” Stanowski wrote.
David Stanowski, cofounder of the group, wrote to Secretary Shaun Donovan that the housing authority is violating fair housing laws by concentrating public housing on the island.
Dispersing public housing throughout the more affluent areas of Galveston County, instead of concentrating it in Galveston, will give public housing residents a “better chance to escape from poverty,” he wrote.
“Rebuilding public housing in the only city within Galveston County trapped in a long-term state of decline, and just beginning a multiyear recovery from a hurricane, also forces its tenants to live in the city with the lowest median household income, the highest crime rate, and one of the lowest-rated school systems in the county,” Stanowski wrote.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Why Chattanooga is Trying to Stop Apartments
Chattanoogan.com
January 20, 2010
Mayor Littlefield says the street for the Fairmount apartments is too narrow, but until now the city has not shown any concern about the street. The Fairmount apartments have been in the same area for over 30 years, and no city official including the now second term mayor had a problem with the area. The only reason he and others are interested now is because of the two- and three-story homes being built near the Fairmount Apartments. His only concern is that with the reconstruction of the Fairmount apartments the property value of the enormous homes being built will be lowered. The Chattanooga Housing Authority has assured everyone that all applicants will be screened thoroughly prior to granting them housing.
He says he has spoken to HUD about his concern, but he failed to say that HUD sent representatives from the regional office to walk the site. The HUD representatives have said Chattanooga Housing Authority’s plan for 36 apartments is acceptable and doable.
He says there are no grocery stores nearby, but what grocery stores are currently being visited by the residents living on Valentine Circle and other areas near the Fairmount property?
MORE
January 20, 2010
Mayor Littlefield says the street for the Fairmount apartments is too narrow, but until now the city has not shown any concern about the street. The Fairmount apartments have been in the same area for over 30 years, and no city official including the now second term mayor had a problem with the area. The only reason he and others are interested now is because of the two- and three-story homes being built near the Fairmount Apartments. His only concern is that with the reconstruction of the Fairmount apartments the property value of the enormous homes being built will be lowered. The Chattanooga Housing Authority has assured everyone that all applicants will be screened thoroughly prior to granting them housing.
He says he has spoken to HUD about his concern, but he failed to say that HUD sent representatives from the regional office to walk the site. The HUD representatives have said Chattanooga Housing Authority’s plan for 36 apartments is acceptable and doable.
He says there are no grocery stores nearby, but what grocery stores are currently being visited by the residents living on Valentine Circle and other areas near the Fairmount property?
MORE
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Galveston public housing plans go to feds for review
Galveston County Daily News
Rhiannon Meyers // January 3, 2010
GALVESTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will scrutinize Galveston Housing Authority’s plan to rebuild 569 hurricane-damaged public housing units to ensure public housing isn’t concentrated in one area, but the agency declined to comment further until it receives the agency’s redevelopment plans.
Like all reviews of redevelopment plans, the federal housing department will “want to see a housing plan that provides quality housing opportunities for all the residents, with good neighborhood amenities, and avoids concentration of the housing in any one area,” agency spokesman Brian Sullivan said.
MORE
Rhiannon Meyers // January 3, 2010
GALVESTON — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will scrutinize Galveston Housing Authority’s plan to rebuild 569 hurricane-damaged public housing units to ensure public housing isn’t concentrated in one area, but the agency declined to comment further until it receives the agency’s redevelopment plans.
Like all reviews of redevelopment plans, the federal housing department will “want to see a housing plan that provides quality housing opportunities for all the residents, with good neighborhood amenities, and avoids concentration of the housing in any one area,” agency spokesman Brian Sullivan said.
MORE
Monday, December 28, 2009
Experts cast doubt on housing philosophy
Galveston County Daily News
Rhiannon Meyers // December 25, 2009
The new public housing philosophy of dispersing public housing residents across a region instead of segregating the poor in one city may not work in Galveston County, experts said.The federal government in recent years has pushed public housing agencies to spread housing over entire regions in an attempt to provide better opportunities for families lumped together in poor, crime-ridden cities with low-performing schools, John Powell, executive director of Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, said.
However, regional public housing isn’t successful without solid public transportation, an abundance of low-skilled, entry-level jobs and places where the uninsured can get health care, experts said.
MORE
Rhiannon Meyers // December 25, 2009
The new public housing philosophy of dispersing public housing residents across a region instead of segregating the poor in one city may not work in Galveston County, experts said.The federal government in recent years has pushed public housing agencies to spread housing over entire regions in an attempt to provide better opportunities for families lumped together in poor, crime-ridden cities with low-performing schools, John Powell, executive director of Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, said.
However, regional public housing isn’t successful without solid public transportation, an abundance of low-skilled, entry-level jobs and places where the uninsured can get health care, experts said.
MORE
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Altering public housing laws
AL.com
John S. Peck // December 24, 2009
The battle over public housing's spread into south Huntsville will shift to the Big House next year - the Alabama Statehouse.
Two Madison County legislators plan to re-introduce legislation that would curb the power of municipal housing authorities.
The measure by state Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, and state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would end eminent domain authority of public housing authorities and require local government consent before authorities can purchase property for affordable housing.
Eminent domain, the practice of government seizing property against the will of property owners, hasn't been used in any Huntsville Housing Authority acquisitions. All of its purchases have been on the open market.
Houses of late, including one on Gallatin Street in the medical district and another on Drummond Road in southeast Huntsville, were bought to renovate and resell to income-qualified buyers.
Orr and Ball say their main intent is to add "transparency" so neighborhoods don't get blindsided by government housing.
MORE
John S. Peck // December 24, 2009
The battle over public housing's spread into south Huntsville will shift to the Big House next year - the Alabama Statehouse.
Two Madison County legislators plan to re-introduce legislation that would curb the power of municipal housing authorities.
The measure by state Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, and state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would end eminent domain authority of public housing authorities and require local government consent before authorities can purchase property for affordable housing.
Eminent domain, the practice of government seizing property against the will of property owners, hasn't been used in any Huntsville Housing Authority acquisitions. All of its purchases have been on the open market.
Houses of late, including one on Gallatin Street in the medical district and another on Drummond Road in southeast Huntsville, were bought to renovate and resell to income-qualified buyers.
Orr and Ball say their main intent is to add "transparency" so neighborhoods don't get blindsided by government housing.
MORE
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