Mr. Stewart, you misstate my positon on affordable housing. This is
understandable because I have not stated my position on affordable housing.
I did not say that we should do nothing. If I get a chance, I will sketch
out what I believe needs to be done.
I did state that Mr. Niland's proposal was fiscally beyond the capacity of
the City to fund, something clear to anyone who knows the City's budget. To
approve Niland's proposal would have either led to crippling cuts in other
programs or little additional funds for affordable housing or hefty property
tax increases. Because of this, I supported Ms. Cherryhomes response. The
program approved by the Council was both a real response and a response
within the City's ability to fund.
To say that the City is doing nothing is also incorrect. In the Mayor's
2001 budget, the Mayor proposed $16 million directly for affordable housing.
In addition, the City has the NRP program, a program directly aimed at
improving housing stock, with a sizable portion of the money targeted to
lower income individuals. The Mayor has also been working with the Mayor's
Task Force on Affordable Housing (I think that is the title) through the
Metropolitan Council. In fact, the Metropolitan Council is both working
through its comprehensive planning programs to bring about additional
affordable housing, it is going to be owning some of this housing. There
are also numerous programs through the MCDA.
Carol Becker
Longfellow
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Multiple recipients of list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2000 6:41 PM
Subject: Re: Attack on Cherryhomes due to affordable housing position
> A convenient dodge for not addressing affordable housing in Minneapolis.
Ms.
> Becker, of course, is correct that it is a regional issue. She is not
correct
> in her prescription to stand and do nothing until a regional solution
exists.
> I wonder how useful people who need affordable housing find the
> Becker/Cherryhomes approach.
> Ken Stewart
> Nokomis Village
> 12-9
