Thinking about housing...

I really enjoyed my time on the CRA last year. In many ways, I think we did more to move Lake Worth forward with some long term improvements and programs in a shorter time than others did or could - one of the benefits of an independent CRA. All during the time that I was on the board, we heard the cry for using money to reinvest in residential neighborhoods. The thought was, and is with some current sitting members of the board, that since most of the CRA's revenue came from the residential areas that money should go back to where it came from to improve blighted conditions. I maintain that situation is a distortion since much of our commercial property within the CRA district is underutilized or vacant. If we experienced redevelopment along our major commercial corridors in the CRA district, the multiplier effect would be much greater and more funds would be available for non-commercial areas within the district.

So, it is with great satisfaction that the city will be enjoying the benefits of the $23 million NSP2 grant issued by the federal government. Commercial properties are not eligible for these funds. It will target low and moderate income persons and upgrade housing in the area pictured below:

You can see the number of foreclosed and city-owned properties within this area - so it really is not about displacement of people that already live there. There is now a great opportunity to stabilize this area for the long term - removing slum and blight in the process. This is the main charge of CRAs. One of the grant writers that we used, who has done many of these throughout the state, really thought this application stood out since it is such a concentrated area and such a lot of money would be available. This should result in a demonstrable improvement in the area in a relatively short time.

I've reported on the reluctance of the City Commission to really endorse this NSP2 program and in many ways we were taken to task for making the application. Last Monday, before the grant award was announced, the City Commission decided to make an application for CDBG (also federal money) through Palm Beach County for an expansion of the Osborne Gymnasium and for traffic calming on various north/south residential streets - for a total of $250,000 of money for this year's program. There is apparently around $600,000 left over from previously granted, but unspent CDBG monies which will be used to start the City's own housing program. This is how the City Manager explained the process in her January 15th report.

Note that it might be a good idea not to use a dark colored background if you want information easily read in future reports.

This is the area that the City's program is targeted:

Notice the overlap between the two areas. Also notice that the City's $600,000 is only 2.6% of the total money available through the NSP2 program. The City's smaller amount also covers a larger area. Coincidence or potential conflict? The odds on bet is that the City Commission will make another run for control of the CRA given the amount of money involved here with the NSP2 program and as a way to further solidify the city's housing program. Where does the Lake Worth Community Development Corporation fit into this? Do not forget that we have a commissioner that works for that agency.

I've also thought a lot about Haiti and the amount of money needed to give immediate emergency aid and long term investment to rebuild a good portion of their capital city. What we are dealing with here in Lake Worth is the result of disinvestment and disenfranchisement over generations and in some ways, while it took longer and was more subtle, some of our problems here in Lake Worth are similar to Haiti's in terms of the need to attract investment and provide for the health and safety of our own population.

Another CRA success story will play out on Tuesday of this week with a formal presentation by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council and their moving of its headquarters to downtown Lake Worth. This was encouraged through a grant to the organization from the CRA and is part of the agency's cultural redevelopment program - as is the NSP2 grant.

Maybe we need to re-look at some other uses for that CDBG money. Here are some other projects suggested for funding through the program gathered during the two public hearings soliciting input from residents and neighborhoods. Using the money for a city housing program that is already dwarfed by what amounts to another housing effort funded through the NSP2 program, takes money away from these other needed projects. Why?

Let's take another look at these before we send our request for CDBG funding to the County.

Lastly, one of the reasons the goal of 50,000 is being touted for the 2010 Census is that, at that point, Lake Worth would become a federal entitlement city. It would not have to rely on applying for County CDBG money (Palm Beach County administers money for non-entitlement municipalities.) We would get our own allotment from the federal government. My point of view is that may be all well and good, but we need to find out how many people actually live in Lake Worth and not go after a "goal." I personally doubt we are at 50,000. We shall see.