Housing Summit 09
Transforming the Housing Crisis into Opportunity: inspire bold partnerships and projects; identify what we can do together to turn the corner on the housing crisis; and set priorities for Greensboro’s 5-year Consolidated Plan. Martin Eakes, the founder and CEO of Self-Help will be the keynote speaker; Dennis Quaintance and Tom Low will speak about diverse and sustainable design. Come to Revolution Mills on February 26 to turn the corner from homelessness, unhealthy homes and foreclosures to fair, safe, affordable, and green housing. Click here for the full brochure.
Fair Housing: Stable Housing, Safe Housing
Our whole community hurts when things fall apart for some of our neighbors, as our national economic situation demonstrates—yet the insecurity and health risks are not evenly distributed. While approximately 32% of Greensboro residents live in relatively integrated neighborhoods (those with a minimum of 20% African American and 20% white residents), the other 68% live in areas almost exclusively a single race. And the non-white areas have the overwhelming majority of substandard housing units and foreclosure risks. What can make all housing fair, safe, and affordable so that, wherever a family chooses to live, regardless of race or national origin, it can have access to a decent place?
To address that question, the City of Greensboro’s Department of Housing & Community Development and the Human Relations Department have been working with their boards and volunteers to prepare an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. Thanks to a grant from the Fulfilling the Dream Fund at Public Interest Projects, GHC will partner with the city and FaithAction International House to promote discussion and implementation of the recommendations in the Analysis of Impediments.
Click here to read the draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. Give input about it at the Community Resource Board meeting on December 18 at 3:00 pm in the Plaza Level Conference Room of Melvin Municipal Office Building. Put Housing Summit 2009 on your calendar for February 26 to discuss ways we can Transform Housing Crisis into Opportunities. Together we can rebuild a sustainable community: fair and stable.
Housing Bond approved, new programs coming to address housing crisis
To address the housing crisis, federal recovery legislation and local housing bonds have been approved. (Thank you for supporting the housing bond!) How can we in Greensboro use these to restore our community to stable housing? Come hear aout the possibilities and talk with the city, HUD, and GHC about your ideas at the YourVoiceCounts dinner discussion on Wednesday, November 19, 6:00-7:30 pm, in the Self-Help Center. Click here for more information and call 691-9521 to RSVP.
Does your rental have a RUCO?
By Dec. 31, all rental units–houses, apartments, mobile homes–must be inspected and have a Rental Certificate (nicknamed “RUCO”) in order to be leased. To find out if the place you are planning to rent has a RUCO, click on http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/Departments/Engineering/resident/Public+Access+to+LOE+Cases.htm. Then click “continue”, click “rental certificate” and put in the address; if the unit has a certificate, it will appear. Owners and managers can call 336-373-2111 now to schedule inspections for certification. The RUCO program is making a significant difference in rental housing conditions, which in turn improves health and neighborhoods.
If you missed the healthy homes bus…
To read about the impact of housing conditions on health, click on healthy homes bus tour, then on HouseCalls. To diagnose health risks in a home, click on VisualAssessment and to see the impact community-wide, click on HealthRiskMap.
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GHA administers Supportive Housing Program
In February 2008, the Greensboro Housing Authority began administering a unique grant funding by HUD, called Housing Opportunities, which offers rental assistance in the private market, along with a range of supportive services provided by area agencies. The grant is designed to assist persons who are disabled and chronically homeless according to HUD definitions. GHA is currently accepting referrals from partners in the housing coalition to fill available slots in the grant. If you know of a consumer who is both disabled and chronically homeless, please contact GHC to begin the referral process.
Check it out! New federal rules about lead paint!
Whether you are a homeowner or rental property owner, contractor or home repair volunteer, when you paint or renovate an older home you are likely to encounter old lead paint and release lead dust. EPA posted the Final Rule about the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program on April 22, 2008. To work lead safe and clean, most of the supplies are inexpensive–duct tape, plastic, masks. But the lead-dust HEPA vacuum is essential, so call GHC at 691-9521 to borrow ours! Watch the video link in DON’T SPREAD LEAD and read the booklet. Learn more about how to control lead risks at http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead.html. Don’t spread lead!