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.

You Are Invited to Lake Worth’s 16^thAnnual…

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. DayCelebration

The Dream Lives On:

Nonviolence is the Answer

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Gospel Choir Concert - 6 PM

Calvary Methodist Church (O Street & 1^st Ave South)

Free Admission

Monday, January 18, 2010

Interfaith Prayer Breakfast – 7:30 to 9:00 AM

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (Lucerne Avenue & Palmway)

Free to All

Candlelight March – Gather at 5 PM

Beginning at Lake Worth City Hall (Lake Ave & Dixie Hwy)

MLK Commemorative Program – 5:45 PM

Cultural Plaza, Downtown Lake Worth (Lake Ave & M Street)

MLK Fellowship Dinner – 6 to 9 PM

First Baptist Church (M Street & 2^nd Ave South)

Call Retha Lowe at 586-7276 for further information

Sponsored by City of Lake Worth, Kiwanis Club and Lake Worth MLK Committee

Interfaith Breakfast Program

Master of Ceremonies - Paul Blockson
Blessing
Breakfast
Welcome to St. Andrews - Rev. Paul Rasmus
Lift Every Voice - All Sing
Reverend Betty White - Grant Chapel AME
Shauna Coolican - Quaker Meeting
Ted Brownstein - Baha’is of LakeWorth
Yvonne Bratcher - Praise Dance
Reverend Tony Cato - New Hope Missionary Baptist
Tranquelino Gonzalez - Iq-Valam (Maya)
Joy DuPont - Buddhist Tradition
Noam Brown - Musical Selection
Pastor Jacques Destine- Helping Hands Mission
Rabbi Barry Silver - Synagogue L’Dor V’Dor
Retha Lowe - Announcements
We Shall Overcome - All Sing

Click here for link to latest City Manager's Report - Week-ending 1/15

No longer is the report linked to the current week's regular City Commission meeting agenda. You can find it under City Manager in the left-hand column of the city's website. Some editorial comments of mine will follow in a separate post.

If you have time - Listen to this very informative news conference held yesterday with Secretary of State Clinton (1/15) re Haiti Crisis

Note from Joan Oliva re NSP2 Grant

All,

The Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is thrilled to announce that it is the recipient of $23,237,500 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help stabilize neighborhoods and rebuild communities. The Lake Worth CRA is one of only seven organizations in the state of Florida to receive these funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

These funds are granted to states, local governments and non-profit housing developers, under HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), to spur economic development in hard-hit communities and create jobs. Nationwide, nearly 60 grantees are receiving these awards which total almost $2 billion. A full list of grants awarded can be found on HUD’s Recovery Act website: http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/documents/nsp2grantchart.docx

The CRA was the lead applicant on this grant which includes a consortium of 20 community based organizations and local companies that plan to address the distressing effects of foreclosed properties in the heart of Lake Worth. This consortium plans to address the stabilization and revitalization efforts through acquisition and rehabilitation of property, demolition, new construction of residential property, homebuyer counseling, subsidy programs, access to employment training and land banking.

I have attached a Memo prepared by Staff back in November to provide you with some details of the application and the formal letter of award.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you all so much for your support and I look forward to all of working together.

Joan

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/hud-secretary-donovan-announces-2-billion-recovery-act-grants-stablize-neighborhood

Joan C. Oliva

Executive Director

Lake Worth CRA

Martin Luther King Jr.

“Cowardice asks the question: is it safe? Expediency asks the question: is it politic? Vanity asks the question: is it popular? But conscience asks the question: is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular- but one must take it simply because it is right.”

From FaceBook: Current Status of Many Friends

UPS is shipping anything under 50lbs. for free to Haiti. You can send food, clothes or shoes...and American Airlines is taking doctors and nurses to Haiti for free. Please call 212-697-9769. Spread the word...Red Cross needs Creole speaking volunteers for a 24hr phone bank. Call Mr. Wilfrid @ 305-776-6900 ASAP....Please repost this info.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

FBI using electronic bulletin boards to catch fugitives...

Click here for link to FBI website.

From the City's website: City of Lake Worth Organizes Earthquake Relief for its Sister City St. Marc, Haiti

The City of Lake Worth’s Mayor and City Commission come together with local Haitian Leaders and residents to devise and implement a relief plan for its Sister City St. Marc in light of recent tragic events following Haiti’s earthquake.

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, centered just 10 miles from Port-au-prince, crippled Haiti. This is the strongest earthquake to hit the area in over 200 years. Communication and infrastructure networks have been severely disrupted but the widespread devastation of this disaster is being revealed by the hour.

Mayor René Varela and the Lake Worth City Commission last night met with many Haitian community leaders to devise a community based approach to bring relief to its sister city, St. Marc. Many in attendance stated that their desire is to ensure that a solid plan is formed so that the relief supplies and resources go directly to Haitian people with the highest need. For this reason, a consensus was reached to establish a list a recommended non-perishable goods for donation (below), multiple drop-off locations for supplies within the city, a list of volunteers, and a resident committee named Lake Worth Haitian Relief. This new committee, led by Dr. Aurora Francois the principal of Barton Elementary School, will develop a plan for coordinating middle and long-term post-earthquake relief efforts on behalf of the residents of Lake Worth. Dr. Francois can be contacted at 561-540-9101 or francoa@palmbeach.k12.fl.us. In the immediate term, the Mayor recommends that residents make monetary donations to the following organizations: The Red Cross (text "HAITI" to "90999" and $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross, charged to your cell phone bill) or (http://www.redcross.org/), Helping Hands Mission, Inc. which is based in Lake Worth (561-433-8123, 561-502-4775), or Doctors Without Borders (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/), all of which have relief personnel on the ground in Haiti and need financial contributions to reinforce their efforts. Additionally, the city and community have established thirteen drop-off locations for nonperishable goods (below). The continued generosity of the people of Lake Worth will be the life changing difference that will bring hope to Lake Worth’s friends in Haiti.

Recommended Supply Donations & Drop Off Locations
FOOD & SUPPLIES Cereal Pop Tarts Sardines Can Goods Carnation Mild Powered Milk Diapers Wet Naps Tents Sleeping Bags Flash Lights & Batteries Candles, Matches Clothing Plastic Flatware Powdered Drinks Construction Gloves Construction Rags Umbrellas	MEDICAL SUPPLIES Band Aids Gauze Pads Medical Tape Hydrogen Peroxide Pads Alcohol Pads Antibacterial Ointment Toilet Paper Latex Gloves Tampons Sanitary Napkins Aspirin Surgical Mask Asthma Inhaler	Recommended Drop-off LocationsP. Agneau Georges (561-424-6102) Pastor Leonce Estimable (561-201-3470) Pastor Arnold Principal (561-540-3801) Bishop St Hilien Tica (561-273-3882) Jean Marie Dossous (646-377-9434) Pastor Elie Louissaint (561-856-2536) Pastor Jacques Louis (561-502-4069) Pastor Charles Duperval (561-577-0583) Pastor Marcel Vincent (561-502-2638) Pastor Gregoire Saint Louis (561-254-7351) Pastor Ralph Pierre Louis (561-577-5869) Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce, 501 Lake Avenue (561-582-4401) Barton Elementary School, 1700 Barton Road (561-540-9101)