As always, I am suspicious of Mayor Rybak's claims that he should get credit
for accomplishments he claims.
I went on his website to see what he claims credit for related to
housing. I have pasted in below what he claims he has done. Noticeably, there
is
no mention of work on homelessness and homes/housing for the poorest of the
poor in our city.
And no mention of trying initiatives other cities have taken to
create scatterd site housing for homeless persons. (yes Jim Graham I agree with
you
completely that we need to have a strategy of scatterd, not centralized hous
ing and for the same reasons you site.)
The glaring lack of work on his part to address homelessness speaks
for itself.
I wecome any response, on or offlist regarding his other claims..see
them below.
Margaret Hastings
Kingfield
From R.T. for Mayor Website:
He and the Council created the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and
increased the City's annual funding for affordable housing from $8 million in
2001 to
over $12 million in 2003 and $20.9 million in 2004
Pumped up the City's annual investment in affordable housing from $8 million
in 2001 to $12 million in 2003 and $20.9 million in 2004.
Since January 2002, 5,839 new units of housing have been started in the city.
In 2004 alone the City issued building permits for 2,730 units of housing
worth over $387 million.
Since January 2002 the City has helped to bring 1,025 new units on-line and
helped support the renovation of an additional 1,653 units of affordable
housing (50% of Metro Median Income). In 2004 alone City funding led to 241
new
units and 464 rehabbed affordable units.
Mayor Rybak set a 3-year goal of creating or renovating 2,100 units of
affordable housing between 2003 and 2005. By September of last year,
construction
had begun on 1,770 units –making the City 84% of the way.
Brought in $40 million in private donations for the Northside Home Fund,
which goes to renovating boarded and vacant properties, increasing
homeownership
(especially among people of color), and spurring private renovations.
Created Corridor Housing Initiative to find fitting sites for more housing,
with an emphasis on our city’s commercial corridors.
Championed a "more than housing" approach at Heritage Park that will include
performing arts space, a community center, library, bike paths, and green
space.
Championed "It's About the Kids" a partnership between the City, public
housing, schoolsm and non-profits that helps low-income families find
affordable
housing near community schools.
Hosted a field hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and
Urban Affairs in Minneapolis, with Senators Wellstone and Reed. R.T. also took
on national leadership within the U.S. Conference of Mayors, lobbied Congress
and chaired a regional task force of mayors on affordable housing.
Lobbied the State Legislature for flexible funds that prevent family
homelessness and a tax increment transition fund targeted at affordable
housing.
Supported creation of a Unified Housing Policy to clarify City housing goals
and policies, especially for use of neighborhoods doing NRP planning, and the
Mayor called for updating the Comprehensive Plan to make it consistent with
this Unified Housing Policy.
Partnered with the NRP Policy Board to find "off the shelf" housing options.
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