07-25-1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r . «General Findings Impact of Problem Concenirations of poverty, deteriorated housing, inadequate employment opportunities^, and increasing crime rates are currently found in Minneapolis and St. Paul and are growing elemenis in the inner first ring suburbs. Once a certain level of concentration of deteriorated housing occurs and when there is a perception that an area is no longer safe, people and businesses with adequate resources tend to leave the area and public and private disinvestment occurs. The future vitality of the metrc^litan area as a whole is dependent on maintaining strong, healthy, and viable core cities. There is a tendency to stereotype low income people. The term “low income" refers to many different kinds of people living in many different circumstances with a variety of needs, and these people can tMX all be served by the same solution. Racism and prejudice can not be condoned. There can be strength in diversity and communities need to know how to build on and support diversity of all kinds — economic, racial, age, etc. Findings: The Twin Cities are not unique in facing problems of urban decay, for the challenge is facing most major metrc^olitan areas. The causes of urban decay are complex and no single solution exists for solving the problem. The social, economic, as well as physical aspects of the problem are interrelated. Since poverty will not be eliminated, the goal should be to reduce the extent of poverty and to mainstream people in poverty into society. Governments and orgariizations can only do a certain amount to address the characteristics and ramifications of urban decay. Individual motivation and assumption of individual responsibility are key to long term solutions. Concentration of poverty and a sense of hopelessness generate increased violence and accelerate the loss of middle and upper income residents. Historical development patterns, age of housing stock, and market trends have led to a concentration of low income housing and often to neighborhood deterioration. The creation of barriers to affordable housing, often due to development pressures, is not as big a problem as is government ’s lack of action to address and attempt to prevent or reduce such barriers. By choice or for economic reasons, more people are spending more or most of their lives in rental housing. Rental housing ne^ not be viewed just as a buffer for owner-occupied, single family housing, but could be a housing alternative where occupants are encouraged to value, take pride in, and invest in their housing choice. AMM Urtwn Strategics Task Force - Discussion Draft Page 3 ♦ ,^-w - ,_J