Homeless Crisis Due To Low-income Housing Shortage

Homeless Crisis Due to Low-Income Housing Shortage

by N. Renuka Uthappa

   Ann Arbor is in a crisis. Approximatety 1,500 people are homeiess. In immediate terms, this is a crisis of shelter. People sleep outside in freezing temperatures. Many will have medical conditions exacerbated by the wind, rain, and cold. All will right the effects of having no permanent place to be, no warmth they can count on. Some churches, local groups, and stores are making efforts to provide assistance. These efforts will help keep people alive and will make people's lives better in the short term.

   But Ann Arbor's crisis is, at base, a housing crisis. People lose their homes for reasons like job loss, industrial accident, family breakup, or eviction by a landlord who jacks up the rent. There does not exist in Ann Arbor the low-cost housing needed by these people. In the past nine years, the federal govemment has cut the budget for low-cost housing trom $32 billion to $8 billion (Detroit Free Press, 21488).

   The Downtown Development Authority, a group of twelve Mayor-appointed, Council approved members, controls approximately $15 million of city tax revenues. This money comes from taxes paid by downtown businesses. Since its creation in 1982, the DDA has spent $13 million of this money on two parking structures (Liberty Plaza and Ashley) and pedestrian improvements such as special lighting and cobblestones. The City Council must approve all allocations from the DDA fund. Council has the authority to open up the fund so that some of the money can be used to build affordable housing. But DDA money which was originally intended of "commercial, office and residential uses." has been used to build parking structures, white none has been spent on housing . (Ann Arbor Tenants Union "Downtown Ann Arbor: Tax Shelters to Emergency Shelter OcL1988)

   Last December City Cooncü approved a request by Kline's department store for a parking structure to be bult on the site of their present parking lot According to Larry Fox of Student Legal Services this structure wil be built using $3 million of DDA money.

   On Jan. 17 Courtdl announced its intent to sell bonds to finance the structure. The DDA would then pay back this loan over the next 30 years. If no group collects the 8,500 signatures (or 10% of the electorate) needed to put it to a public vote it will go to a Council vote. Eight votes will pass it.

  The Homeless Action Commíttee (HAC) plans to begin continues actions at the parking lot to demonstrate against this misuse of city funds. HAC hopes to convince the city govemment to open up the DDA fund and make allocations for affordable housing. HAC wil dsrupt business as usual until they do so. If necessary, HAC will block the construction of the planned parking structure.

   THE HOMELESS ACTION COMMITTEE is made up of concemed community members, and several people who have once been homeless or are currently homeless. We believe shelters are an emergency measure and not a soultion. HAC is working to find shelter for people who are torced to sleep outside this winter. But we work also to force this city to re-order ris priorities and provids the necessary number of affordable housing units. We need the energy, ideas, strength, and vociferous support of all concerned people in this community.

   MEETINGS: HAC meets every Sunday at 6 pm at Guild House, 802 Monroe (see CALENDAR). For more information cali 930-2959.