Margaret, I'd be happy to answer your question.
We undertook a grass-roots strategic planning process a couple of years ago to figure out the appropriate role for the County in the area of affordable housing. As part of this process, we also looked at the role of the County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), which had never served as an active authority. One of the recommendations was that the County establish a new department to combine our housing and transit functions, activate the HRA, and work across county departments to better align housing and supportive services. The Board thereby established the Department of Housing, Community Works and Transit. We staffed the new department primarily with existing housing/transit/community works staff from a couple different departments and hired four new people, including the director. In considering who best to hire as head of the new department, we were looking for someone with a broad range of knowledge and experience in the areas of housing, community development and transit. Steve Cramer was my first choice and ultimately the Board's choice to serve in this capacity. I strongly believe that we are quite fortunate to have Steve serve the people of Hennepin County in this position. His work and the achievements of his department over the past year is moving Hennepin County in the right direction to help address affordable housing and homelessness issues. On November 23, 2002, I wrote an op ed piece in the Strib detailing some of the department's accomplishments, including the continuation of the Affordable Housing Incentive Fund, creation of a new Supportive Services Fund, HRA conduit financing of a new 168-unit project serving low-income veterans and other affordable rental projects, and work on a new affordable home-ownership model with Fannie Mae. I also refer you to the HRA link at: www.co.hennepin.mn.us/tcw/housing Margaret, I applaud your commitment to addressing affordable housing issues, but I take issue with your characterization of Mr. Cramer, and ask that you take a closer look at the facts and the accomplishments of the past year. Gail Dorfman Hennepin County Commissioner TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ 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
