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A range of factors -- economic, social and personal — keep individu^s living in poor economic <br />conditions. Those without basic life choices often lack the ability to improve their economic <br />condition. They can become concentrated in areas where inadeqi^te housing and job <br />o|^)ortunities exist and i*'sir conditions are further worsened. This condition is worsened when <br />some exhibit behaviors detrimental to the well being of themselves, their neighborhood and the <br />Metropolitan area in general. <br />PRINCIPLES <br />The Urban Strategies Task Force report is based on the following five principles; <br />1. <br />2. <br />3. <br />4. <br />5. <br />It is the responsibility of governments at all levels to encourage problem solving through <br />meaningful citizen involvement and to participate in a unified effort to provide: <br />opportunities for people to be self sufficient and to five and work in safe, viable and <br />diverse communities; choice in affordable housing and job opportunities; and a reduction <br />in the concentration of poverty. <br />It is the role of government to actively support diversity within their communities. <br />AMM agrees with the statement in the Citizen League’s Committee on Housing Policy <br />and Metropolitan Development conclusion that "policy makers must lead the way toward <br />a new vision of community that includes tolerance of socio-economic and racial <br />differences." <br />Government must maximize the efficient use of public and private funds by planning <br />coordinated local, sub-regional and regional strategies to address issues. <br />Barriers to reducing concentrations of poverty, and therefore deteriorating neighborhoods, <br />have developed over time as the result of geographic and social patterns, public policy <br />and market forces. These barriers can be social, economic, legislative, housing, racial or <br />educational barriers. Although governments may not have intentionally created such <br />barriers, the fact that governments have failed to address these bamers contributes to the <br />problems seen today in areas with concentrations of poverty. Each community in the <br />Metropolitan area should identify and address these existing barriers. <br />Government is one actor in addressing societal problems. Individuals, families, churches, <br />businesses, associations aixl groups of all kinds have responsibilities tc work cooperatively <br />with government, if appropriate, to address urban societal problems. <br />a Urban Strategies Task Force Report