[Mpls] Affordable Housing

[Kate Carey]

I am a member of what you would call the working poor and I think what we need in affordable housing are multiple bedroom units that are pretty inexpensive for people who DO NOT get any public assistance.  Lots of us work and work hard....we are on your bus system we live in marginal neighborhoods and for the most part our needs are not met and out voices are not heard.   I suspect that one of the reasons for that is based on Maslows hierarchy of need...I know I have very little time when I am not working and trying to keep things together and attending meeting where homeowners complain about renters ruining the neighborhood is not even close to fun.  Some of you on the lost know me...I worked very hard in the Whittier neighborhood for a long time...now I live in Phillips.  I would love to live in a safe clean and dare I say attractive apartment.  I would love to live in a neighborhood where my child by virtue of her address doesn't qualify for free lead screenings.  I am tired of hearing that people are afraid of "welfare moms" with  big families.    Could that be any more insulting?    What about building for the working poor?  Is it legal to build for people who get no other public assistance?  Wouldn't it be refreshing if just once the people who could just use a step towards a little nicer of a life got a chance?   Kate Carey Phillips