The statements of Council Persons Barbara Johnson and Colvin-Roy (sp?) at today's City Council meeting brought home the continued struggle for poor people and people who are experiencing homelessness.
�������� Ms. Johnson used the term "special interest" groups as she referred to poor and homeless people. (The only special interest I have ever seen homeless folks get is a bit of thumping by police, overstuffed shelters and the privilege of "sleeping under the stars "-- except that this is illegal in Mpls.)
������ Her above comment about "special interests" was said In the presence of people who are homeless, who had slept out overnight on the government center lawn... and still wanted to make it to the Council Meeting.
������� As Dean Zimmerman so rightly pointed out there is a difference between "special interest groups" and "specially privileged groups". I believe Ms. Johnson revealed quite clearly her bias for those who are specially privileged.
�������� Ms. Colvin-Roy spoke of the lack of affordable housing for people like her daughter whom she said needs affordable housing because "she cannot afford to buy a home in my neighborhood."
�������� Ms. Colvin-Roy argued for letting neighborhoods be given control over dollars designated for "affordable housing" rather than some money going to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. She too alluded to "special interests" (I assume poor and homeless-but that is my assumption.)
������ She seems to ignore the ongoing dynamic of the "fortress neighborhoods" who fight tooth and nail to keep out poor and low income people, and they have been allowed to do this for years.I have noticed in the Southwest Journal lately the touting of "affordable housing" being built in some of our upscale neighborhoods. When I read the fine print, it is a few units out of many in a building and/or "affordability" is set at 80% of median income... which is more than I make and certainly is not about being low income housing. It is about "affordable housing" for middle class folks.
�����
���������� Take my neighborhood of Kingfield as an example--largely middle class-- and ,the last time I checked, not a haven for people who are homeless. From having been on the KFNA board and now on the NRP steering committee I shudder to think where housing dollars will go if left to the control of the Kingield Neighborhood. The last board meeting I was at, much was being made of the two (potential) single family units for low income people that may be built. Those two units will merely replace the two houses that the KFNA board and the City Council and the Mayor supported being torn down for the Ace Hardware Parking Lot.(and they are torn down.)
������� Back to the City Council meeting: Johnson and Colvin-Roy spoke passionately about the need for the "people of the neighborhoods being able to decide where they want their housing dollars spent."
����� The problem with that is that neighborhoods such as mine are "Fortress Neighborhoods"..they have not let in people who are poor and homeless for the most part. The economic segregation succeeds in keeping their voices out, at least in my neighborhood. So.. if you follow the logic, if you have never been allowed in, how in the world do you obtain a voice to let you in?
������� The term "affordable" must be constantly challenged. The poorest of the poor must be served first. Fortress neighborhoods cannot be allowed to continue to play the game of "well there is no affordable property available to develop low income housing, so our hands are tied."�
���� To be fair to Kingfield, a very active groups of Kingfield residents did involve themselves with the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing group ... my hats off to all of you.
����� The Kingfield Board has a resolution committed to affordable housing.. but that is not enough.
������ As poverty and homelessness increase, it becomes clearer that is a civil rights issue, not one that should depend on hoping people who have privilege decide to give a little up.
������� Walk the talk, walk the talk, walk the talk.
������������������������������� Peace to all,
���������������������������������� Margaret Hastings -Mpls.-Kingfield
�������
