Brenda and I took a recent trip to France on a Rick Stieves tour. It was great. Anyway in talking with our group at dinner both a couple from Milwaukee and Omaha discussed the trolleys in their cities and what an incredible waste of money they were. It seems like bad thinking transcends local communities. (I did not see any trolleys in Paris). Written by Paul Dribin
“As the urban world becomes “smarter,” cities will have an opportunity to become more inclusive,” Homi Kharas and Jaana Remes write.
— Read on www.brookings.edu/opinions/can-smart-cities-be-equitable/
A good article from Brookings
The ouster of Greitens may improve the chances of reinstating Missouri credits. Jeff Smith, Executive Director of MOWAHA is quoted in the article saying the credits are efficient and effective. They are neither. Written by Paul Dribin
Census data shows growth of cities declines. All our assumptions about folks wanting to move back to cities may be erroneous.
The Missouri legislature has voted to not reinstate the credits. This means that affordable housing deals in Missouri will be more difficult to do. This is a classic case of killing the goose who lay the golden eggs. The greed of developers and their assorted hangers on caused this to happen. The people being harmed are poor people.
The governance of MHDC the funding agency must be changed to reform the system. Having high level elected officials on the board simply creates a climate of graft. What also is necessary should be a straight forward funding criteria which awards projects on the basis of merit, not who you know. In any case the existing system is rotten and needs to be changed. Written by Paul Dribin
This is an interesting article from the New York Times about a test of an annual income in Stockton California. I believe some form of a guaranteed income is the way to go. Too much of the funding of traditional housing programs goes to third parties and does not benefit the recipient. Written by Paul Dribin
There are sometimes audible gasps in a room as Richard Rothstein talks about his book, The Color of Law, and the United States government’s work to create, encourage, and enforce racial segregation in housing in the 20th century.
Excellent interview with richard rothstein about housing segregation
— Read on shelterforce.org/2018/05/22/the-not-so-hidden-truths-about-the-segregation-of-americas-housing/
www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2018/05/29/university-city-development-proposal-mirrors.html
A very thoughtful article in the Business journal about the proposed development at 170 and Olive in University City. This is a big project and many homeowners could be displaced. They would receive just economic benefit but the overall cost to them and the community is large. Written by Paul Dribin
nlihc.org/article/senate-committee-holds-hearing-need-housing-finance-reform
Mel Watt testified before Congress on FNMA, Freddie Mac reform. The most significant part of his testimony concerned the lack of overall housing and especially affordable units. He stated that construction has not kept pace with demand and that most new construction was at the high end of the spectrum. This has a great effect on the St. Louis region and the rest of the country. Written by Paul Dribin
Article about facility in north county for homeless vets
