The resolution is not yet online or available in electronic form. The text of the resolution follows a page and a half of "findings," all of which attempt to make out a case for an program described as the "renters to owners" initiative. There are no details of the mortgage insurance program (this is essentially what is being proposed) and no discussion about whether this duplicates existing city or MCDA programs that may help in writing down downpayments and other forms of assistance to first-time homebuyers.
The text of the actual resolution (absent the "findings") is: BE IT RESOLVED: that the NRP staff and Director, in conjunction with local lenders, banks, mortgage insurance companies and realtor organizations, develop guidelines and procedures to be approved by the NRP Policy Board for a pilot program to implement a "renters to owners" initiative. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the NRP shall set aside $2,000,000 (two million dollars) of the 2002 $4,000,000 (four million dollars) affordable housing reserves to fund this new initiative. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that these funds shall be made available only after approval of the program guidelines by the Policy Board and the transfer of the 2003 NRP allocation of $11,000,000 from the City to the NRP program fund. This is, in my mind, a half-baked or even unbaked program and more of a power play on the part of some to secure the NRP its own separate departmental status by creating its own mortgage assistance programs that will obviously compete with MCDA or other city programs. Is the goal laudable? Sure. But why the duplication of programs is beyond me, other than to see this as a political play rather than a legitimate concern for affordable housing, especially housing for those at the poorest end of the spectrum. The fact that $2,000,000 may be gone in a snap of six people (THREE of whom were neighborhood reps), without any prior discussions, debate, or notice, is not only disappointing but simply irresponsible. Fred Markus may be right to say that "this irresponsible opportunism will be the death of more than just NRP." Gregory Luce St. Paul Bill Cullen wrote: Can someone please elaborate on what this mortgage insurance program does? While the description from Ms. Nicholls is concerning, I don't have enough information to declare this move bad. If this program eliminates the cost of mortgage insurance (which applies to only those that cannot put 20% down) then we are closer to making housing affordable. Further, mortgage insurance is targeted towards owner-occupants. I hope we see more information on this program before we declare it bad. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of List Manager Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 6:58 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] NRP and city affordable housing fund Forwarded with permission of the author. - David Brauer, list manager Greetings! I sat in disbelief Monday night as the NRP Policy Board voted 6 - 3 to approve a request to reassign $2 million of the $4 million dedicated to affordable housing to a mortgage insurance program that was handed out and introduced at the meeting. The intent to provide a fund for home ownership assistance, the proposal: A. Did NOT adhere to the criteria established for the affordable housing reserve fund. B. Was NOT submitted through the designated process established for requests to the fund, and had not been reviewed by any committee to determine feasibility or merit. C. Was presented by a neighborhood representative sitting on the policy board - in violation of the procedures established for proposals for the fund. D. Did NOT specify that funds would be used for families with incomes at or below 50% MMI (targeted to low income), or would be targeted to specific sections of the city. E. Did NOT respond to the purpose and intent of the fund which was to create new affordable housing units. and F. Seemed oblivious to the City's discussions on whether they will remain in the business of providing mortgage assistance as a city service. The fact that it was considered and APPROVED was an affront to the policies and proceedures of the program, and an indication that NRP is accountable to no one. Both the Mayor and Council President voted against it, along with one neighborhood rep. Those in favor included both County Commissioners (Stenglein and McLaughlin), three neighborhood reps, and the union representative. I simply couldn't believe it. Six people, none of them city officials, authorized the transfer of $2 million of city funds to a proposal that was seen for the first time that evening. No thought given to whether it aligned with city goals or how it compared to other private sector financing mechanisms. The Mayor even urged the board to first revisit the affordable housing fund criteria, make changes if needed, and permit other proposals to compete for the funds. And Ostrow drew attention to the divergence from the intent of the fund. To no avail. With the drop of a hat $2 million that was dedicated for affordable housing was redesignated for home ownership purposes. Almost thumbing their nose at the City, in one fell swoop the Policy Board refused to play by any rules - even their own. Do we still need to wonder what will happen to the NRP Policy Board? Yours, Gretchen Nicholls Center for Neighborhoods 612-339-3480 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 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 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
