For what it's worth, the Tenant Issues Working Group is recommending significant reform of NRP, calling for a number of things, including the following:
At least fifty-percent (50%) of all future funds disbursed to and/or controlled by NRP-contracting neighborhood organizations must be used to benefit people with low incomes, defined as families that earn less than 50% of the Minneapolis median income for the families' size. For those arguing that other neighborhoods should take their "fair share" of supportive housing (which has been unfortunately and erroneously linked to housing designed as affordable for those with low incomes), this recommendation takes that into account and requires the wealthier neighborhoods to spend 50% of their NRP money to benefit those with low incomes, thus requiring those neighborhoods to strategize and to do what NRP was primarily intended to do--benefit lower income residents. Arguably, those neighborhoods disproportionately affected by poverty will have an easier time showing how expenditures benefit people with low incomes in the neighborhood, though we don't believe it would give those neighborhoods carte blanche to spend what they want without thinking how it actually benefits those in poverty, which are those generally left out by NRP to date. The devil is always in the details, but we are pursuing this and will continue to as we organize and build our coalition, and would appreciate any comments or suggestions as we move forward. Gregory Luce Project 504/Tenant Issues Working Group/Phillips _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
