DeWayne,
Thank you. Your description of the neighborhood groups is exactly my
observation, which really prompted the question. With the structure
available through NRP and other public funding sources, the planning
function by neighborhoods should have attained another level.
Drawing upon its varied resources, more professional planning could be
accomplished, thereby addressing several issues at once. Of the many
variables affecting affordable housing, absent the immediate need, the most
prolific seem to be wages and available structures. It is conceivable that
groups could adopt a more pro-active approach, especially given the
lethargic response of local government.
For example: work with the legislature to acquire full standing as an
organization addressing these needs and direct funding from some of the
outside interest into this group for operation. From the community, the
group could hire professionals to run the organization (one level of jobs
created), hire skilled technicians to hire and train area residents in
building trades (another level of jobs created), employ them in rehab and
building of structures in the community (one more level), thereby increasing
the response time and affordable housing stock, while upgrading the wages of
the residents.
This approach will be argued against for some very obvious reason. However,
this approach does work, and works very well. I have been a part of such
development for a number of years (in another State)and the success of this
approach builds strong communities.
It is even more attractive because of the economic effect on the area, which
serves as a catalyst to an expanded revenue base generally. This approach
would also serve to answer many other questions resulting from housing
issues, taxes, etc. In office, I would actively persuade consideration of
such models. In the interim, are there any who would sponsor discussions on
the relevance of such a plan?
Robert Anderson
IP Candidate, House FRN
www.andersonforhouse.com
-----Original Message-----
From: DeWayne Townsend [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 1:02 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: AIHCDC Many Rivers Project
Robert
> Your point is well taken, and I am glad to hear that neighborhood groups
are
> actively involved in planning for their communities.
I am sorry to hear that you do not know for sure that neighborhood groups
are "actively involved" in planning. Field-Regina-Northrop has an active
neighborhood group and you should really check it out. This is really the
front line of the housing problem and the most likely place for solutions to
come forward.
> But there is a need for affordable units now. Are neighborhood groups
> exploring all available options, or are they accepting only those options
> presented as a solution?
I cannot speak for Field-Regina-Northrop, but I do know that the Longfellow
Community Council is very actively involved. Not only is the crisis
recognized, but work on ways to get it solved are very much on the table.
There is discussion on where and how as well as active searching for
developers and partners to do the job. This is not an easy issue because of
NIMBY syndrome and a real fear of "high-density" (well maybe the other way
around).
>Are there oppurtunities to address more issues than the housing crunch
alone through
> neighborhood groups?
YES, YES, YES. This is where the rubber meet the road. When one talks
about the devil in the details this is where it is at. If issues can be
resolved at the community level the probablility is very high that: the
poject will go forward and the outcome will be as expected.
> Planning should feature the long term approach, even when immediate goals
> and needs exist. I've read some extremely well thought out post on this
> list, from persons skilled in Urban planning, economics, and so on.
> I would love to see neighborhoods organize these skills, drawing upon the
> same resources available to "other" planners, with an eye to building
solid
> communities.
Longfellow Community Council is just starting another round of 5 year
planning. LCC last 5yr. plan worked our very well, thanks mostly to NRP,
and we expect the next 5yr to go as well is not better. There were a lot of
festering issues that NRP funding allow LCC to address. Better Park
building, playgrounds at that schools, an award winning master plan for
restoration of the Mississipppi River Gorge, and lots of money for home
repair/purcahse that truely caught the wave of a major revitalization of
housing in the community.
> It is not the utopian ideal that it seems.
You have that right. But when you can get a represenative population of a
community around a table to discuss issues and solutions sometime it gets
pretty close.
I think that many communities have turned the corner on the "accepting only
those options
presented as a solution?" and now go after their own vision. Neighborhood
groups are much more effective in keeping the multiple partners, required
for most projects now days, on the same page than any other entity.
Community groups have a long memory, treats the partners as partners and not
as competitors, and for the most part are interested only in getting the
project done right and not to feather someone's dept. or resume. LCC has
many many professionals involved in community planning and LCC has tried to
encourage their input, this provides a lot of freedom from "outside experts"
and often produces some very creative solutions.
Getting involved in the community group is not for everyone, but for those
that do get involved to work to make the community better there are lots of
rewards. There is a lot to be said for feeling good about helping your
neighbors.
Cheers;
DeWayne Townsend, Ph.D.
Cooper Neighborhood.
