City Growth Declines
Census data shows growth of cities declines. All our assumptions about folks wanting to move back to cities may be erroneous.
The St Louis Contrarian
Providing Independent and Intelligent Insight on St. Louis Public Policy Issues
Archive for the month “May, 2018”
The Latest on Missouri Low Income Housing Tax Credits
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
A Test of Guaranteed Income
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
The Not-So Hidden Truths About the Segregation of America’s Housing – Shelterforce
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/
University City Development
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
Status of Housing Reform
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
Housing for Homeless Veterans
Article about facility in north county for homeless vets
Segregation Levels in St. Louis Remain High, Study Finds | News Blog
Of the 50 largest metros in the United States, St. Louis has the sixth highest rate of minority residential segregation, a new report has found….
— Read on www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2018/05/25/segregation-levels-in-st-louis-remain-high-study-finds
St. Louis still has high levels of housing segregation
TIF In University City
NOVUS Development had been approved by University City to develop a mixed use commercial site at the intersection of Olive and I-170. This is an ethnically diverse area with lots of small businesses and minority residences. Community leaders are calling for a Community Benefits Agreement which would establish clear objectives to benefit everyone in the community especially those that might be displaced by the development. I believe this is only fair and proper in such a situation. I am confident this development will be a win-win. Written by Paul Dribin
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