[Mpls] FW: Community POWER grants & website
If you're involved in a community effort to reduce waste in the Twin Cities, here's some good news for you - there's money available from SWMCB: Mark Snyder Ward 1/Windom Park [EMAIL PROTECTED] Forwarded Message begins here > > NEW COMMUNITY POWER GRANTS > I am pleased to announce the availability of grants through Community > POWER (Partners On Waste Education & Reduction), funded by the Solid Waste > Management Coordinating Board. Applicants may request up to $7,500. Grant > applications are due February 22, 2002. Grant information is available on > our website (see below) or by contacting one of the Project Managers: > Susan Cairn, [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (612) 722-5806; or Erin Bowley, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (651) 646-3940. > > > NEW WEBSITE > A website for the project has been launched at: > http://www.swmcb.org (please click the link for "Community POWER"). > The website contains grant information, current grantee descriptions, > project background, links to waste reduction resources and more. > > > Informational Meeting: Jan. 30, 9:30 - 11:30 > The next meeting for Community POWER will take place January 30, 2002, > from 9:30 - 11:30 AM, at the Minnesota Humanities Commission Education > Center in St. Paul. This meeting will include representatives of current > grantee projects, county environmental staff, and anyone who is interested > in learning more about Community POWER and waste reduction. Topics covered > at the meeting will include project updates, paint issues, mercury > thermometers, evaluation, waste reduction policy, and more. An information > session on the new grants will be offered during the meeting for > prospective applicants. You must register for the meeting by January 28th. > Please email your name, title, organization, address, phone, email > (unless you have attended an earlier meeting and the information hasn't > changed) to Erin Bowley at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Directions to the Minnesota > Humanities Commission Education Center can be found at: > http://www.thinkmhc.org/directions.htm > > HELP SPREAD THE WORD! > You are strongly encouarged to help spread the word about Community POWER > to others. Please see the general description of the project found below. > > Community POWER: Partners On Waste Education and Reduction is a project > involving community organizations in the Twin Cities region in waste > reduction. The project is sponsored by the Solid Waste Management > Coordinating Board. In November 2001, eight organizations received > Community POWER grants totaling $70,000 to involve their networks in waste > and toxicity reduction activities. In a second round of funding in 2002, > $55,000 will be distributed to additional organizations. Grants will be > made up to $7,500 per organization. Applications are due on February 22, > 2002. > > Residents of the Twin Cities are creating more garbage than ever. > Community POWER was created in 2001 in order to reach individuals who are > not currently aware of waste reduction practices with information and ways > to change behavior. Community POWER provides grants and technical help so > that community organizations (e.g. neighborhood groups, churches, youth > organizations, etc.) can work with their existing members and stakeholders > on waste issues. The project targets community organizations that do not > already work on environmental education or advocacy. > > Additional information on Community POWER, including a description of all > grantee projects and how to apply for funds, can be found at: > www.swmcb.org. Please click on the "Community POWER" link. > > For more information, please contact one of the Project Managers: Susan > Cairn, [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (612) 722-5806; or Erin Bowley, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] or (651) 646-3940. > > To find out more about Community POWER, please check out> > http://www.swmcb.org and click the link for "Community POWER!" Forwarded Message ends here ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Section 8 housing
Barbara Lickness wrote: > Since, many private landlords don't want to > participate in section 8 anymore, then MPHA can own > the properties and operate them through their > scattered site program. Perhaps, the Mayors affordable > housing task force should look into this possibility. > The structure is already in place to do this so it's > one solution that could be launched quite rapidly. [GDL] This is actually one of the stated proposed strategies of Mayor Rybak's 90-day plan. His administration has proposed, as a way to get more genuinely affordable units on the market, that the city borrow against MPHA properties and use the borrowed funds to purchase properties in the city, thus opening them up to Section 8 vouchers. Tom Streitz, formerly of Legal Aid but now Deputy Director of MPHA, is heading up this part of the plan. I think Keith Reitman spoke at the January 5 Housing Summit about/against this, saying that MPHA's entry into the market in purchasing properties may actually heat up the market further. Gregory Luce North Phillips (work) North Phillips Press is a publication of Project 504, a housing related neighborhood organization based in the Phillips neighborhood. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Re3: "Respectful discourse".
On January8, 2002, Mpls digest, Vol 1 #614 - 15 msgs #10, Loki Anderson, Marshall Terrace, wrote in regard to my statement, "All contributors should be required to indicate their full first and last names.": "Any leeway for the mayor??" RT is certainly considered to be acceptable as a first name. If it's good enough for the ballot, it should be good enough for our purposes. Those who might have any difficulty in understanding my message of January seventh should be certain to have read my reference. Neal E. Simons Prospect Park ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Section 8 housing
Regarding my post with the same title at 19:37 today, there is a typo in the last paragraph. "...makes it likely that the 106 number for Ward 2 is described by Case 2." should read: "...by Case 1." Robert Johnson Cedar Riverside West Bank ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Section 8 housing
Data and analysis in Barbara Lickness' post (10 Jan 02 / 12:36) could be misleading. The report cited by Lickness is said to "list both project-based and tenant-based Section 8 housing in the city by ward." A list is shown which has a number for each of the 13 Wards. It is represented that the number indicated for each Ward is the total of "project-based" plus "tenant-based" Section 8 housing units. Thus, for Ward 2, the number is 106. So, does this number 106 represent the sum of (a) the number of individual tenant certificates [i.e., one certificate for one apartment or SFD - single family dwelling], plus (b) the number of "projects" [i.e., "Section 8 properties"]? Let's call this Case 1. Or does this number 106 represent the sum of (a) the number of individual tenant certificates [i.e., one certificate for one apartment or SFD], plus (b) the number of individual Section 8 units [apartments] in all of the Ward 2 "projects"? Let's call this Case 2. Knowing that Riverside Plaza (on Cedar Ave between 4th and 6th Streets) has 1303 apartments which are heavily Section 8, and knowing that The Cedars (on Cedar Ave between 6th and 7th Streets) has 540 apartments which are at least preponderantly if not totally Section 8, makes it likely that the 106 number for Ward 2 is described by Case 2. If so, this is the same as counting a truckload of acorn squash mixed with watermelons as if it were all watermelons. If so, the Lickness analysis is defective. Robert Johnson Cedar Riverside West Bank ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Section 8 housing/Concentrating Poverty and Social Services
Joe brought up an excellent point as have many others that posted to me off-list. I thank him for it because it provides a clear example of one of the issues we face regularly when dealing with the "saturation" problem. The list I posted contained only section 8 units. (as I knew them to be from a report I had from 6/01) The list I posted does not include public housing units, supportive housing units, halfway houses, transitional units, shelter-care units,etc. I have also been contacted by a planner who has been assigned to look at the supportive housing concentration issue. (YEAH) While the planning department has a great deal of data, it's hard to wrap your arms around it because there are so many different catagories of housing. Much of it is similar and serves the same kind of population, however, it may be catagorized differently because of a minor component of the project or service provided that makes it one type of housing instead of another. If it has this but not that, it is this type of housing. If it has that but not this, it's another type of housing and so on and so forth. The numbers are sectioned into so many catagories. Maybe that is intentional. It is always the hammer that gets used against us in these debates. It is hard to get a clear and measurable count of just how much supportive, special needs, transitional, shelter, etc. type of housing because they are all classified so narrowly. We had two very capable attorneys working full time to prepare the Lydia House report that shows the facility concentration. There is a wonderful map that shows all of it city wide. These people went door to door and surveyed the facilities in addition to using information available from the planning department and God knows where else. Advocates of Lydia house consistently tried to refute the numbers we reported saying they were wrong. I have yet to see a list of all of this type of housing that shows what the "real" numbers are according to the Minneapolis Planning Department and my guess is that a list does not exist at this point. Hopefully, the planner assigned to look at this issue will produce a new report as an outcome of her research. It is sorely needed by a great number of people including supportive housing advocates. I am advocating that the planning department work with neighborhoods like mine to map all the concentrated housing types once and for all. Perhaps the planning department can educate us about all the different housing catagories and what differentiates one type from another. My hope is that we can move to a classification that is more simplified and easier to deal with for the planners, the neighborhood folks, and the developers. I am also hoping it will strengthen the quarter mile spacing requirement and that our council members will see the need to enforce the law instead of ignoring it like they just did on CVI. I appreciated Earl Netwalls post on the spacing requirement issue. History is always nice. Suggesting somehow that Whittier, Phillips, Stevens Square and the other neighborhoods affected by the "saturation" issue are the "sacrificial lambs" for concentrating all the poor and special needs people in Minneapolis simply solidifies what I have been saying all along. This has been a policy of the city and county for at least 28 years if you use Earls date of 1974 and probably started before that. Please do not insult me by suggesting that "I knew what I was getting into when I moved here", or that "If I don't like it, I should move." I grew up in the Keewaydin neighborhood on Lake Nokomis ( a completely different neighborhood) and spent most of my life there until 1991. I moved to Whittier on purpose, not out of desparation. I LOVE my neighborhood and I am not moving anywhere. I am going to stay and work with my neighbors to shed some light on this policy once and for all. We will work through the system and attempt to change it. We can use all the help we can get. The current policy smacks of racism and classism and makes a strong case that segregation is alive and well AND intentional and purposeful in Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Not a pretty picture folks. Barb Lickness Whittier __ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Lydia House 1/4 mile spacing
In response to Earl Netwal: You stated that: "Minneapolis' central neighborhoods provide a unique combination of architecturally sufficient facilities and the most effective mass transit system the state has to offer. Proximity makes the whole thing work particularly well. Proximity to county and city offices downtown, proximity to jobs downtown and in the periphery of downtown". Lynne's response: The four neighborhoods of Stevens Square, Loring Heights, Whittier & Phillips have about 60% of all the supportive housing in the state. There are approximately 81 neighborhoods in Minneapolis right? I have to believe that the vast majority of these Minneapolis neighborhoods enjoy good access to jobs and bus routes, etc. I even believe that jobs and bus routes exist in Edina. Segregation is never justified, whether it is done for the sake of proximity to bus stops or otherwise. I've heard so many excuses in addition to yours. Lisa Goodman, councilwoman, has the nerve to say that a mansion on Mt. Curve Avenue (Kenwood) can't be converted to supportive housing because it isn't zoned properly, yet beautiful homes on my street (Ridgewood Avenue) can be converted (five have been so far) despite zoning laws saying otherwise. Why is it o.k. to throw out one zoning law and uphold another? You stated: "Living in a service rich neighborhood probably requires sharing a service rich neighborhood". Lynne's response: Your statement is not a far cry from the one made to me by a very rude woman leaving Plymouth Congregational Church: "Well, you chose to live here, what do you expect?". I chose to live here for the convenience to downtown and for the diversity of the neighborhoods...what I didn't bargain for was a de facto policy of segregation of mentally ill and chemically dependent persons by the City. How can anyone offer up excuses and justify this continued segregation when studies say that neighborhoods should not exceed 3% of this "special needs" population and within a 1/4 mile of Lydia House the special needs population is 28%. If Lydia House were to open this population would jump to 31%! Imagine a society where one in three people was mentally ill or chemically dependent. How tragic. When will we open our eyes and see that other Minneapolis neighborhoods are also rich in services? Why not consolidate two or three social service programs from our neighborhood into one facility in Kenwood or Edina? That would help reduce the 300+ programs currently operating in our area. This is about integration. Integration is healthy for everyone. It is healthy for all neighborhoods. We need to stop making excuses and start seeking properties in non-saturated neighborhoods that have ample access to jobs and transportation. Lynne Lowder Stevens-Square/Loring Heights neighborhood also check out: www.thelydiahouse.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] RE: 1/4 mile spacing
Earl Netwal wrote: Minneapolis' central neighborhoods provide a unique combination of architecturally sufficient facilities and the most effective mass transit system the state has to offer. Proximity makes the whole thing work particularly well. Proximity to county and city offices downtown, proximity to jobs downtown and in the periphery of downtown. Proximity to non profit service agencies which fill the storefronts of our main streets. Proximity is the key for the services and a natural reason promoting concentration. On the other hand, the residents ask what type of normal neighborhood are these people being integrated into? One in which it is normal to see people beating on their heads walking down the street??? John Cevette replies: Mental health professional advise--and our national health policy advocates--that people who need supportive housing should live in facilities of 6 or fewer residents. Minnesota's largest care provider, REM, Inc., is moving to close its facilities that house over this number on the basis they don't work very well. Housing adequate for 6 or fewer residents exists in every neighborhood, and there is nothing architecturally unique in Whittier, Stevens Square or Phillips conducive to this type of business. (Note bene: Lydia House is a 40-bed facility.) And obviously small facilities, widely dispersed, would provide real integration into society. Yes, the bus system works, until you need to get to your job in Eden Prairie or Eagan. For most people in supportive housing the jobs are in the suburbs, not downtown. They're clerks, maids, janitors and maintenance workers, not white collar professionals. Sure there are some blue collar positions in the downtown; there are many more in the suburbs. Living in Whittier, Stevens Square or Phillips is no guarantee there'll be proximity to work, and likely it will be the reverse: they cannot get to their jobs. Let me see if I get the social service facilities proximity reasoning: There is supportive housing which requires social service agencies which attract more supportive housing which attract more social service agencies which attracts more supportive housing. Southside Pride is quoted in the January 2002 Hamline Law Review, and has counted more than 320 governmental, quasi-governmental and private social service facilities in Phillips alone. However, proximity is also a code word for segregation: If one builds a facility in these neighborhoods because all the social services are there, when a person needs supportive housing there is no choice of where they must live. Sure, the crime may be high. Sure, they may want to live in the Kingfield, Central or Seward neighborhood, but sorry. Their type of housing exists only in Whittier, Stevens Square and Phillips. As in effect say, "this is where you belong." Proximity is also a code word for profit. Supportive housing and social service agency profits. It's convenient for them to have all of their facilities in in close proximity. Some of the 50 or so people living in supportive housing on my block are mobile and can travel for services, the others requires services brought to them. The services delivered in a facility are expensive. It may be one of the reasons the supportive housing industry (via Tom Fulton and a group called the "Family Housing Fund") have agreed to pay all the legal fees for Plymouth Church in the Lydia House litigation with one of the most expensive law firms in Minneapolis. Their stated goal is to get rid of the 1/4 mile spacing requirement, giving them free reign to turn our neighborhoods into a property tax-free, taxpayer-supported supportive housing complex. People who require supportive housing deserve the right to live where they want, where they can be successful, and in a truly residential setting and neighborhood. The supportive housing industry's counter lawsuit against the Whittier neighbors to eliminate the 1/4 mile spacing between facilities is a self-serving, discriminatory, segregationist act that should be condemned by people with a social justice conscience. John Cevette Whittier ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Section 8 housing
In a message dated 1/10/02 2:37:30 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << Since, many private landlords don't want to participate in section 8 anymore, then MPHA can own the properties and operate them through their scattered site program. Perhaps, the Mayors affordable housing task force should look into this possibility. The structure is already in place to do this so it's one solution that could be launched quite rapidly. Barb Lickness Whittier >> Would you propose that MPHA should begin a huge building program. Otherwise, they would have to purchase these scattered site residences from the pool of existing, privately owned housing in this town. That pool/market is extremely heated up and pricey. These residences are also occupied by individuals and families that would then be displaced/dumped to make room for the subsidized folks. Maybe we should be looking at why, "Many private landlords don't want to participate in Sec. 8 anymore..." and try to resolve the supply side of the equation before expanding government ownership and management of housing. Small business people called landlord/property owner could solve the rental housing shortage in a genuine free market environment. Someday, we may be allowed such an environment in this City. Till then, all manor of tax dollar subsidized contrivances will probably fall short of the growing need. Keith Reitman, Making a modest living as a poet, NearNorth ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Another time on the Merry-Go-Round
I'm glad we are taking another dance around the issue of 1/4 mile spacing of supportive housing. The other night I was grousing to the night doorperson in my building about the rule that I cannot entertain guests in my humble abode. She understood my frustration. Her suggestion was that I look into renting an apartment at Hope Harbor which has been built at the corner of Glenwood and 10th St. "Yikes", I screamed. "Who wants to live there?" I'm a bit of a snob. I grew up with privelege and it's still hard for me to reconcile my life situation with where I think I should be. I guess that's why I romanticize my current address. Continental Hotel sounds sort of cool don't you think? Unfortunately, when they answer the phone "Opportunity Housing, Continental Hotel" I shudder. The good news is its forcing me into the 21st century. I'm buying a cell phone. No way I'll live in a place called Hope Harbor. The name could do more harm to a person's self esteem than would be gained by having a place to live. Talk about stigmatizing. Why not spend some extra bucks for a neon sign and call it the Depot Apartments or something. The location ain't so great either. Let's see, I get to choose between looking out on the 10th St. parking ramp, Mary Jo ville across the tracks, Harbor Lights on another side and Glenwood Avenue stretching all the way to the Evergreen on the west. For the same reason I hate the name Lydia House. Why not LaSalle Arms or The Vermont or anything but Lydia House. To all you Lydias out there I apologize. I hope the folks building the new place at Franklin and Eliot come up with a cool name for the building. These things are important. Pride of ownership and all that. Who wants to announce to the world they live in a group home or supportive housing or one step above down and out place in an industrial area surrounded by hard surfaces. Gregory Luce thought it might be good to hear from people who will actually live in these locations. At one time I might have been eligible for the Lydia(Vermont, LaSalle Arms)House. I fit three of the categories. The one I lack is AIDS. As far as I know. Haven't been to the Red Door lately. Put that on the to do list. I would love to live in that neighborhood. The views aren't much better than Hope Harbor but I'm sure I would feel greater hope living there. It feels regular and upwardly mobile. Place means so much when you're trying to assemble the pieces of a shattered life. I don't have a family so I cannot speak to the project at Eliot and Franklin but I'm sure it will be welcomed by those lucky enough to find a home there. There is room for all sort of projects existing in all neighborhoods in peaceful coexistence. People talk about Kenwood. Well, The Bridge exists at 22nd and Emerson and has forsomething like 20 years. Whoosh! has it been that long. If you're expecting a group home on Lake of the Isles you deserve being shunned for making ludicrous comments. It won't happen. Cost of land drives these decisions as does cost of existing housing. We haven't had a lot of teardowns in Kenwood. The serious problem we face is the availability of multi-unit housing in the city and the past policy of upgrading properties. I sat one morning in the Inspections office talking to a contractor who told me of the incentives he was offered if he would turn a duplex into a single family residence. This is not some wild story. It happens all the time. Neither Lydia House or CVI/PPL/Sabathani have been proposed maliciously. The bottom line is this where the best opportunities have presented themselves. And we must house people. What angers me so much about the people bringing suit against the city is when they talk about ill effects of overconcentration and reinstitutionalizing is; 1) they don't have an idea what any of that means(I'll bet doughnuts to dollars not one has ever been in an institution, and 2) where were they when the city started creating the new Skid Row on Glenwood Avenue? The well-being of the people who might live in these projects is way low on the list. Crime bothers them. That is understandable. But noone from the antis has studied statistical analyses that tend to refute their concerns. In the case of Lydia House they will not for a minute consider that they have untreated, unsupported people on their streets every night and that this might alleviate some of that pressure on their neighborhood. These people at one time argued that the people at Lydia House would not contribute anything economically to the neighborhood. FYI, Every of the tenants at the Continental Hotel save one that i know of shops at the Super Valu at 18th and Nicollet. Hey, I said I was a snob. I'm not going to continue fighting this endless loop of hostility and controversy. Go to court. Fight this stupid battle. Waste money we do not have the luxury of spending. I think someone has asked where this 1/4 mile spacing thing came from. If I'm not
[Mpls] Re: MCDA audit
Victoria Heller wrote: > > My guess is that MPHA has a couple of hundred vacant units that they don't > even know about. If anyone wants to know this agency functions, just call > the MPHA at 612 342 1400. Imagine what it would be like if you really > needed help. > > I would be happy to volunteer my time to conduct an audit of the MPHA. I do > have thirty years of experience in that field. > > Vicky Heller > St. Paul (specifically North Oaks) > Still paying taxes in Minneapolis though Well, Mr. Mayor, how about it? Dave McCoy Seward resident > > ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Section 8 housing
All,
While I usually find Barb's post informatative and well thought out. . . .I
think the most recent listing of Section 8 housing and jumping to
conclusions about "catching-up with the rest of us" is rather misleading.
I live on 31st and Pleasant. In the Lyndale Neighborhood, in Ward 10.
Next door is Findly Place Town Homes with more than 80 units of subsidize
housing. Across the street is MPHA's Horn Terrace complex with 536 units.
The house next door to me accross the alley is owned by a landlord that
intentionally leaves the rent well below market -- ("because he can")
And fortuently my 800 square feet is affordable as well. . . . thought I am
probably a "problem tenant" (of myself)
While I don't disagree with the end conclusion that increased support for
section 8, section 8 enforcement, and MPHA scattered site (Lyndale
Neighborhood Development Coorproation made their interest in selling several
of the units of its upcomming 31st and/or Nicollet development projects to
MPHA) the operating assumption that section 8 could be or should be equally
distributed throught the city seems to be a hasty conclusion based on one
slice of data.
I would proposed it is an assumption nor conclusion that helps the debate
about affordable housing or the search to find consensus about real
solutions.
Sincerely,
Joseph Barisonzi
Lyndale, Ward 10
___
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RE: [Mpls] Section 8 housing
These stats seem off to me, at least in Ward 2. Riverside Homes, a project-based housing entity, owns 103 Section 8 units in Cedar-Riverside. I just can't imagine there are only 3 other Section 8 units in the entire ward. The 103 that Riverside Homes owns are Section 8 designated--you can't live there unless you qualify for section 8, as I understand it. Where did these stats come from? Amanda Rondeau Ward 2 Cedar-Riverside ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Section 8 housing
I received a report that list both project-based and tenant-based Section 8 housing in the city by ward. Project based means a building or property is a section 8 property and is either owned by a private owner or MPHA. Tenant-based means the renter has a certificate to live where they want as long as the land lord will accept a section 8 certificate and can pass the section 8 inspection. Ward 1 - 126 Ward 2 - 106 Ward 3 - 475 Ward 4 - 315 Ward 5 - 534 Ward 6 - 435 Ward 7 - 364 Ward 8 - 371 Ward 9 - 199 Ward 10 - 96 Ward 11 - 64 Ward 12 - 81 Ward 13 - 10 Total3,176 I am told these figures are as of 6/10/01. Looks like Wards 1&2 and 10 - 13 have a ways to go to catch up to the rest of us. Just shows the disparity isn't just with the distribution of "supportive" housing. If all the wards had the same average of section 8 units just think how much more "affordable housing" would be available. Potentially, we could add another 2,000+ units if we added more section 8 units to the 6 wards with the lower numbers to equalize the distribution throughout all the wards. That would have a major impact on the affordable housing problem. Since, many private landlords don't want to participate in section 8 anymore, then MPHA can own the properties and operate them through their scattered site program. Perhaps, the Mayors affordable housing task force should look into this possibility. The structure is already in place to do this so it's one solution that could be launched quite rapidly. Barb Lickness Whittier __ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Governor's budget recomendations
In light of the recent conversations on affordable housing and school issues, I thought list members would like to see this 2003 budget link : Governor's 1/10/2002 Presentation (1/10/2002) http://morefinance.state.mn.us/budget/operating/2003/govpresentation.pdf ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Halfway houses or affordable housing?
Victoria Heller wrote: > Each year, 30,000 people are released from Minnesota prisons. > > Not too long ago, transitional housing for this group was provided > through Halfway Houses. [I know because some of my best friends > stayed in them.] I suppose they have more of an *entrepreneurial spirit* than your average Section 8 mom. Maybe we could establish halfway houses for clerical workers who can't quite make it into management or restaurant workers who aren't motivated to go to business school (some of my best friends would be candidates for those). Does anyone know of a city that has done a good job of dealing with affordable housing issues? It's easy to point to cities that are worse (San Francisco, for example). Are there any positive role models we can look to and learn from? Rosalind Nelson Bancroft--Ward 8 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Southwest Journal seeks editor
We are currently looking to fill the position of editor at Southwest Journal. Below is the ad that we ran in the Star Trib and Pioneer Press last Sunday. I figured that this list is an excellent place to toss the net for applicants, so please pass this info on to anyone you may know who is qualified to fill this position. And thank you for your help. EDITOR Join an award-winning staff. The Southwest Journal, SW Mpls's community newspaper, seeks an organized, visionary, team player to lead our news team. Experience a must, city resident a big plus. We offer an outstanding work environment and competitive salary and benefits. Send cover letter, resume, references and clips/pubs to Janis Hall, Publisher, Southwest Journal, 3225 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls, MN 55408; or e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] No phone calls, please. Janis Hall SWJ Publisher Fulton ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] RE: 1/4 mile spacing
The concentration of group homes and similar facilities is hardly a new one. The 1/4 mile rule grew out of a 1974 battle over a request by the Circle F to locate a facility at 24th and Pillsbury in the Whittier neighborhood. This episode in some ways helped lead to the founding of the Whittier Alliance several years later. Short story: Circle F is denied permit, Aldermanic self proclaimed moratorium holds, but is baseless. Solution: ordinance. 1/4 mile seems reasonable. Wards with existing facilities support ordinance to be able to deny new facilities, those with a few see themselves as inoculated against new, and those wards without are comfortable that the architecture of their neighborhoods are not conducive to such homes. Result, near if not unanimous support for provision. Was it exclusionary? Perhaps, perhaps not. Was it democratic, certainly, at least formally. But it primarily avoided the hard issues. Minneapolis' central neighborhoods provide a unique combination of architecturally sufficient facilities and the most effective mass transit system the state has to offer. Proximity makes the whole thing work particularly well. Proximity to county and city offices downtown, proximity to jobs downtown and in the periphery of downtown. Proximity to non profit service agencies which fill the storefronts of our main streets. Proximity is the key for the services and a natural reason promoting concentration. On the other hand, the residents ask what type of normal neighborhood are these people being integrated into? One in which it is normal to see people beating on their heads walking down the street??? Ah, political dilemma's! Hard to win both sides of this fight. The real need is to see that our central city functions in part as an "Ellis Island" for immigrants of all sorts including those with domestically borne "alienations." Geographically, the city will inevitably play this role. We need to think more about what it means to be this transit way, and how we should build and relate to the infrastructure that implies. Whether Somali or Mentally challenged, the city hosts many populations. Many of these will flow through the city enroute to other places within our metro area or elsewhere. As transients their voices may not be heard at all the neighborhood NRP meetings, nor at city political conventions. There will forever be clashes like the one over Lydia House. Neighborhood identity at odds with regional reality. However, it makes sense to locate facilities in a service rich neighborhood. Living in a service rich neighborhood probably requires sharing a service rich neighborhood. Earl Netwal 5344 36th Ave S. Mpls., MN 55417 ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] DFL Holiday Party Jan. 15th at Nyes -- 7:00
The Fifth District DFL and Minneapolis DFL invite you to join: Congressman Martin Olav Sabo Senators Dave Johnson, Steve Kelley, Ann Rest, Linda Higgins, Larry Pogemiller, Myron Orfield, Linda Berglin, Julie Sabo, Jane Ranum, and Representatives Dan Larson, Betty Folliard, Mark Thompson, Lyndon Carlson, Joe Mullery, Greg Gray, Len Biernat, Phyllis Kahn, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Scott Dibble, Karen Clark, Neva Walker, Jim Davnie, Wes Skoglund, Jean Wagenius, Mark Gleason, And: Mayor R.T. Rybak, Council Members Paul Ostrow, Paul Zerby, Joe Biernat, Barb Johnson, Lisa Goodman, Robert Lilligren, Gary Schiff, Dan Niziolek, Scott Benson, and Sandy Colvin-Roy To celebrate the holidays at Nyes Polonaise Room on Tuesday, January 15th, from 7:00 p.m. until? Nyes is located at 112 Hennepin Ave East. Cash bar and open piano please forward this invitation to all of your friends! Thanks, Amy Dawson and Brian Melendez ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Homeless shelters or Halfway Houses:cashing in
In a message dated 1/10/02 7:57:07 AM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << The proposed "shelter" in Seven Corners is for 25 able-bodied, middle-aged, working men. At considerable cost to the taxpayers, each man will get a mat on the floor. The most recent calculation is $550 per month per mat. I wrote this little poem to lighten up the debate: Mirror, mirror, in my hand, They say this mat costs $50 grand, But your cost will be much clearer If you get yourself a full length mirror. >> Keith adds; Mirror, reason; cracked and broken. The mat I rest on but a token. $50 grand was taxed and spent; non-profit fees unmonitored went. Whittier's-Phillips' homeless havens; cash flows to non-profits' mavens. Keith Reitman NearNorth ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] [Mpls.]Re:Mpls. tax and debt
According to the City's published financial reports for the year 2000: Revenues were $304 million (excluding money from other government sources). Expenditures were $480 million. Debt was $1.2 billion ($1.7 billion with interest) Revenue Breakdown: $195,224,000 from taxes $19,429,000 from licenses and permits $35,122,000 charges for services and sales $8,555,000 from fines and forfeits $45,632,000 from special assessments, interest, and miscellaneous Expenditure Breakdown: $52,081,000 for general government $149,636,000 for public safety $35,846,000 for highways and streets $20,718,000 for health and welfare (Note: this is the County's responsibility) $66,585,000 for culture and recreation $21,692,000 for economic development $35,232 ,000 for urban development and housing $97,997,000 for debt service (Note: it's a good thing that interest rates are low) Footnotes: The City relies heavily on money from other government sources. Shortages of money at all levels make this source difficult to predict. The effects of property tax reform, passed by the MN legislature last year, are not reflected in these numbers. These numbers are from last year - 2000. Chopping off a few zeros will make this scenario equivalent to a family with annual income of $30,396, expenses of $47,979, and unsecured debts of $116,403. Vicky Heller St. Paul (specifically North Oaks) Still a Minneapolis Taxpayer though >>> Keep up the good work I think you will get some to understand. Hopefully it will be those who do the spending and taxing. Mel Gregerson CAPS South Mpls._ __ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Re: Mpls Tax & debt
Without digging into the archives, I'll try from memory. For the past 4-6 years 35-45% of what the city spends comes from other government aids. County, State, Fed. I've warned that these dollars are the most un-reliable. I also warned that endless suburban/republican bashing would have a cost. Last year's legislative session would offer some proof of that. The next session does not bode well. The State is short of money. They are going to cut. The counties look like they will get the worse. Craig Miller Former Fultonite [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Vicky writes: > > > > My post from January 8th said: "Our former City Council thought > > they were in Congress, and now, over half of our property taxes > > go for debt service." The relationship between debt service and tax > > receipts is the most meaningful, because other income sources are > variable > > and unpredictable. > > True, property taxes are the most stable source of revenue. But that > doesn't mean the others are bupkis, as my grandmother would say. > > As Vicky's earlier helpful post indicated, the city has over $100 > million in income from other sources. License fees, service fees, > special assessments may be less stable, but they don't dry up and blow > away. ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Re: Mpls Tax & debt
Vicky writes: > > My post from January 8th said: "Our former City Council thought > they were in Congress, and now, over half of our property taxes > go for debt service." The relationship between debt service and tax > receipts is the most meaningful, because other income sources are variable > and unpredictable. True, property taxes are the most stable source of revenue. But that doesn't mean the others are bupkis, as my grandmother would say. As Vicky's earlier helpful post indicated, the city has over $100 million in income from other sources. License fees, service fees, special assessments may be less stable, but they don't dry up and blow away. The city pays its debt service with multiple forms of income - always has, always will. If you want to convincingly make the point is over-leveraged, don't include all the obligations but only some of the revenues. David Brauer King Field - Ward 10 _ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Homeless shelters or Halfway Houses: Which are they?
Each year, 30,000 people are released from Minnesota prisons. Not too long ago, transitional housing for this group was provided through Halfway Houses. [I know because some of my best friends stayed in them.] Does anyone know if these still exist? Or do we just call them "homeless shelters" to get Federal money? The proposed "shelter" in Seven Corners is for 25 able-bodied, middle-aged, working men. At considerable cost to the taxpayers, each man will get a mat on the floor. The most recent calculation is $550 per month per mat. I wrote this little poem to lighten up the debate: Mirror, mirror, in my hand, They say this mat costs $50 grand, But your cost will be much clearer If you get yourself a full length mirror. Vicky Heller St. Paul (Specifically North Oaks) Still a Mpls taxpayer though ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
Re: [Mpls] Re: Mpls Tax & debt
David Brauer wrote: But we're talking general fund revenue, aren't we? And that isn't all property taxes, is it? Vicky Heller responds: My post from January 8th said: "Our former City Council thought they were in Congress, and now, over half of our property taxes go for debt service." The relationship between debt service and tax receipts is the most meaningful, because other income sources are variable and unpredictable. If you want to analyze the entire cash flow of the City, it looks worse. Following is the "big picture" financial snapshot that I posted on December 13th - for those of you who missed it. According to the City's published financial reports for the year 2000: Revenues were $304 million (excluding money from other government sources). Expenditures were $480 million. Debt was $1.2 billion ($1.7 billion with interest) Revenue Breakdown: $195,224,000 from taxes $19,429,000 from licenses and permits $35,122,000 charges for services and sales $8,555,000 from fines and forfeits $45,632,000 from special assessments, interest, and miscellaneous Expenditure Breakdown: $52,081,000 for general government $149,636,000 for public safety $35,846,000 for highways and streets $20,718,000 for health and welfare (Note: this is the County's responsibility) $66,585,000 for culture and recreation $21,692,000 for economic development $35,232 ,000 for urban development and housing $97,997,000 for debt service (Note: it's a good thing that interest rates are low) Footnotes: The City relies heavily on money from other government sources. Shortages of money at all levels make this source difficult to predict. The effects of property tax reform, passed by the MN legislature last year, are not reflected in these numbers. These numbers are from last year - 2000. Chopping off a few zeros will make this scenario equivalent to a family with annual income of $30,396, expenses of $47,979, and unsecured debts of $116,403. Vicky Heller St. Paul (specifically North Oaks) Still a Minneapolis Taxpayer though ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Mpls] Re: 1/4 mile spacing, CVI and Lydia House
I value good-hearted leadership. I also value leadership that understands the purpose and intent behind the zoning code and is able to interpret and fairly apply those codes across all neighborhoods. Given Z&Ps recent CVI decision to waive the ¼ mile spacing requirement, I have to wonder at what point would they uphold a zoning ordinance. It seems to me that Stevens, Whittier and Phillips have been the citys and regions good neighbor long enough. After decades-worth of failed polices and practices, economic downturns, benign neglect, good intentions, etc. - the term saturation is a more descriptive than concentration. My suggestion is that the whole process should slow down while we await the initiatives from the Mayors Affordable Housing Summit this past Saturday. In the meantime, ideas such as those offered by Cam Gordon might be considered and GIS used to document and achieve more equity between the neighborhoods. Jan Pearson Longfellow ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
