From MPC's March 2004 Media Tips
A proposal to redevelop 172 public housing units into 110 new homes for
low-income residents, alongside 145 units for rent or sale at market rates,
would seem to be just what a poverty-stricken Chicago Heights neighborhood
needs. So the City applied for a federal HOPE VI grant to support the
redevelopment last year, but was rejected. To strengthen its 2004
application, Chicago Heights asked for help.
Members of the MPC Housing Committee and Campaign for Sensible Growth
Technical Advisors met in December 2003 and January 2004 to help Chicago Heights
build a stronger mixed-income community by securing private sector investment
and participation through initiatives like employer-assisted housing. They will
find out in April if the project will get funding. “I think the chances are
good,” said MPC South Suburban Coordinator Kristi DeLaurentiis. “It’s improved
considerably.”
MPC wrote to congressional leaders on behalf of the HOPE VI program in 2003,
when Pres. George W. Bush sought to eliminate the program, which provides funds
for transforming distressed public housing developments into mixed-income
communities. It has shrunk from $570 million in 2003 to $150 million this year,
and Pres. Bush plans to zero out its 2005 budget. MPC will continue advocacy on
behalf of HOPE VI as a tool to preserve the affordability of housing for the
country's lowest income households.
Click here for the complete March 2004 Media Tips.