I asked mayoral candidate Lisa McDonald to clarify how her proposed
reallocation of Community Development Block Grant funds toward affordable
housing would affect the programs such funds are currently used for. -
David Brauer, list manager
David,
As I indicated in my press release our decision to reallocate resources is
really a matter of shifting priorities and believing that affordable
housing is a high priority
I identified CDBG as one of several sources that could be used. Certainly
it is not my intention to use the whole $16.9 million, just a portion. For
two years we have been discussing the necessity of moving staff off using
CDBG for administrative expenses.. I would rather spend those funds on
capital projects and low income needs which is what they were intended
for.
Currently funds are used for administrative purposes for the Health
department, finance, planning and the MCDA. Other funds are used for
capital. I believe much of CDBG dollars go to not only worthy causes, but
also to gain political leverage by council members.
.
Instead of a buckshot approach to social services funding a little here and
a little there, I think the city should say we're going to take this
affordable housing issue on and tackle it in a big way. My friends in the
foundation community tell me that see no organized plan for how the city
operates on this issue.
As to the issue of staffing, the irony is that planning, zoning and
inspections generate revenues (because of permits and fees) often greater
than wages and overhead. So I wouldn't cut there. But I believe there are
efficiencies that can be achieved in other departments.
Hope this helps.
Lisa
_______________________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
