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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/09/67 Hastings, Minnesota August 9,1967 Gentlemen: There have been several requests from interested parties regarding possible urban renewal and public housing projects within the City of Hastings.. The following is a summary of the prerequisites that must be instituted by the City of Hastings before Hastinge can qualifY for application for Federal funds for either of these programs. Congress has dictated that Federal aids must go only to communities that have a SOUIW plan of action to eliminate'and prevent slums and blight, and to foster local development. Such a plan should use private and public local resources. This plan of action is called a "Workable Program for Community Improvement". Congress has provided that these Federal aids shall go only to communities Which are actively carrying out a locally adopted workable program which has been certi- fied by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The original workable program is certified for one year. To remain eligible for the Federal aids, it must be recertified annually by the department. This is based on a "Review of Progress" s1,\bmitted each year by the community. The review shows that it is taking effective action toward meeting its goals and objectives as established in the workable program. Recertification submissions are reviewed care- fully to determine whether the community is making adequate progress toward its goals and objectives. Where reasonable, balanced progress is not being made, recertification is denied until corrective action is taken. A workable program carries no direct federal aid in itself. Requirements of a Workable Program The seven interrelated elementa in a workable program represent accepted principles of good municipal management.. They are! 1. Codes and Ordinances - If not already adopted, adequate codes and ordinances that provide sound standarda for the construction and for the use of dwelling units must be put into effect within a year after the original workable program has been certified. The baaic codes are building, plumbing, electrical, housing and fire prevention. 2. Comprehensive Community Plan - The community working through its planning agency and assisted by technical experts assesses its physical resources. Then it develops a plan and a program for providing the kind of environment needed for improvement, growth and development. We are now in the process of developing such a plan with the assistance of Mr. Hodne, our professional planner. 3. ~eighborhood Analyses - This is an extension of the planning process for each residential neighborhood, as well as for commercial and industrial areas. It is an .. ..... ..-..-.-........-..............--.......,-...'... .....~._,..._. '------.---. -2- examination of its problems, physical re¡iources, enviromental conditions, and decisions concerning the part each neighborhood should play in the total community program. It includes a schedule for doing~hat must be done ao that it can play its proper role. ' 4. Administration Organization - Normally, a local gòvernment provides the service the people need or request. Under this workable program the community establishes goals which require the coordinated and positive use of virtuallY all of its admin- istrative resources to reach those objectives. Accordingly, it checks its exist- ing structure and makes the adjustments needed for effective action. At the same time, responsibility for program coordination is fixed. Provision is also made for adequate personnel planning, code enforcement and other necessary service and operating functions. 5. Financing - The costs of the workable program need not be heavy. Care must be used in planning and budgeting for the most efficient use. of current personnel and public improvement expenditures and any additional requirements for planning, code compliance, and public improvements. 6. Housing for Displaced Persons - As the worltable program advances, families will be displaced from their homes thru slum elimination, code enforcement, public improvements, or other governmental actions. The community has a clear responsi- bility and an opportunity to use its public and private resources so that displaced families are given a chance to secure good housing in a suitable living environment. 7. Citizen' Participation - Citizen participation is the keynote of the community's workable program. Citizens, through an officially designated citizens' advisory committee 'can contribute by informing themselves of goals and progress. They can assist in formulating programs and goals and serving as the medium for bringing private resources into the program. A,subcommittee or special committee on minor- ity group housing is required in any community in which all housing resources, public or private, are not available on the basis of full equality to minority group families. If any public housing project is to be proposed, a local housing authority must be established in addition to the workable program outlined above. A local housing authority in most states is a public nonprofit corporation estab- lished by state law to undertake a program of slum clearance and low rent housing for low income families of the community. In some states the local housing authority is an unincorporated agency of the city. In all instances, however, the local authority acts as a community agency that should work closely with other community improvement organizations involved in providing better housing for low income families, eliminating substandard housing, effecting housing code enforcement, and uplifting and encouraging self improvement of the community's low income families. A local housing authority operates under a financial assistance contract with the i'l1blic H(~'sing A/lministration, a federal agency, and works closely with the Public Uousing Administration in the development end operation of the local authority's program. The above information was gathered from government pamphlets and data furnished to us by Mr. Allan Anderson, Director of the State of Minnesota Department of Urban and Local Affairs. Some of the steps outlined may be shortened or combined if the Council of the City of Hastings decides to initiate a workable program for Community improvement. Only time and experience will tell. Walter E. Petersen Chairman Planning Commission 1m ._H -...-------,------.-.--. --_._-,------,._-- ,.-..-. ,- '