TheSunNews.com
Aliana Ramos // December 29, 2009
The developer of an affordable housing apartment complex has sued the city of Georgetown for more than $1 million in damages, alleging the city violated the Fair Housing Act in preventing the project from being built.
"The bottom line is I think the city blocked a multi-family housing project because they wanted single-family homes," said attorney Benjamin Nicholson, who is representing Connelly Development LLC. "The problem is there is a disproportionate number of people in Georgetown who can't afford single-family homes," he said.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Alternative site sought for senior housing in Orchard Park
The Buffalo News
Barbara O'Brien // December 17, 2009
The attorney for People Inc. is exploring an alternative site for subsidized senior citizen housing in Orchard Park or West Seneca.
Meanwhile, a Town Board member lashed out at the not-for-profit agency for accusing Orchard Park of discrimination in a proposed senior citizen complex.
“This entire community is disappointed in People Inc. They insulted our community,” Councilman David R. Kaczor said during a work session before Wednesday’s board meeting. “I would like to see an apology by People Inc.”
Attorney Ralph C. Lorigo told Orchard Park Town Board members that there are locations at Houghton College in West Seneca and on California Drive in Orchard Park that may be suitable for senior citizen housing.
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Barbara O'Brien // December 17, 2009
The attorney for People Inc. is exploring an alternative site for subsidized senior citizen housing in Orchard Park or West Seneca.
Meanwhile, a Town Board member lashed out at the not-for-profit agency for accusing Orchard Park of discrimination in a proposed senior citizen complex.
“This entire community is disappointed in People Inc. They insulted our community,” Councilman David R. Kaczor said during a work session before Wednesday’s board meeting. “I would like to see an apology by People Inc.”
Attorney Ralph C. Lorigo told Orchard Park Town Board members that there are locations at Houghton College in West Seneca and on California Drive in Orchard Park that may be suitable for senior citizen housing.
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Unwelcome mat out for project to house chronically homeless
Dallas Morning News
Kim Horner // December 13, 2009
Kim Horner // December 13, 2009
Developer Larry Hamilton has been working for months to turn the empty Plaza Hotel south of downtown Dallas into homes for the homeless. But it's been much tougher than he imagined.
Hamilton and other developers complain of roadblocks even as they try to carry out the city's goal of opening 700 apartments for the homeless by 2014. The housing, which would come with mental health and addiction services, is considered the most effective way to clear the streets of the hard-core homeless.
But Dallas has lagged behind other major cities in creating the units. Public financing, neighborhood cooperation and political will are all in short supply in a city that has been able to raise millions for arts projects, a convention center hotel and Calatrava bridges over the Trinity River. "They have this aspiration to do 700 units, but I think it's going to be hard to do any," Hamilton said. "I don't see how it's going to get done."
LA -- Race is factor in affordable-housing outcry, lawyer says
DailyComet.com
Naomi King // December 13, 2009
HOUMA — In a letter to Terrebonne Parish officials, a lawyer representing an affordable-rent development in Gray says opposition by local residents is racially motivated.
Naomi King // December 13, 2009
HOUMA — In a letter to Terrebonne Parish officials, a lawyer representing an affordable-rent development in Gray says opposition by local residents is racially motivated.
But some residents and parish officials said race doesn't have anything to do with the ongoing debate about Three Oaks. Neighbors — mostly from Southern Estates — have said decreased property values, neighborhood aesthetics, drainage, crime, traffic and overcrowded schools are among their concerns.
The Parish Council will discuss the development at its Community Development and Planning Committee meeting, which starts at 5:45 p.m. Monday. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be in the Government Tower's second-floor meeting room, 8026 Main St.
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