Topic: HUD

HUD finds flaws in Redevelopment Plan

By Terry McMoore | June 4, 2008 |

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in response to a complaint filed by the Clarksville NAACP found numerous flaws in the Clarksville Center Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan voted into law by the City Council with full support of Mayor Johnny Piper.

HUD authorities could not find any proposed objectives that would provide protection for low to moderate income residents and their property mentioned in the voted on ordinance.

The Clarksville NAACP first bought these issues to the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice and HUD after feeling that the civil rights and the federally protected rights of the Majority Minority Voting Ward was in jeopardy of being dismantled under this voted on redevelopment plan.

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Sections: Business, Issues, News | 2 Comments

Clarksville to host “Fair Housing” workshop

June 2, 2008 |

The City of Clarksville Office of Housing and Community Development will host a workshop on Fair Housing at the Customs House Museum on June 23, 2008 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The workshops are offered in partnership with Legal Aid of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, The Housing Fund, Inc., Greater Nashville Regional Council, The United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Nashville Field Office and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

2008 marks the 40th Anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. But how much do you know about the Act and its impact on your life, your business or your community? What are your rights as a citizen? What are your responsibilities as a landlord? What is the process to file a Fair Housing complaint? What’s the difference between reasonable modification and reasonable accommodations? «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Education, Issues, News | No Comments

ReConstruct and city team up for summer home repair program

May 30, 2008 |

The City of Clarksville’s Office of Housing and Community Development has partnered with ReConstruct, a faith-based organization dedicated to helping low-income families in need of minor home repairs. This summer Reconstruct will be in Clarksville to help twelve residents with roof repairs. There is no cost to the homeowner, but homeowners must meet certain income qualifications.

To qualify a resident must:

• Be a Homeowner
• Be Income Eligible
• Live within the City Limits of Clarksville
• Complete an application by June 15, 2008.

Homes will be selected on a first come first serve basis. Repairs will be made from July 6 – July12 and July 13 – July 19. Residents may also be interested in the City’s Owner-Occupied Minor Home Repair Program, Emergency Repair Program or RAMP program. Low-interest loans and grants are also available to eligible homeowners. For more information or to pick up an application for any of these programs, please contact Martias Kendrick or Bertha Rufus at 931-648-6133 or visit us at City Hall, One Public Square, Suite 201.

Sections: Issues, News | No Comments

HUD, Justice Department asked to review Downtown Redevelopment Plan

By Christine Anne Piesyk | May 7, 2008 |

NAACP charges Tennessee Code and Civil Rights violations in Clarksville’s proposed redevelopment ordinance.

Jimmy Garland Sr., president of the Clarksville Chapter of the NAACP, has contacted the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., and the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) office in Nashville, charging that the controversial Clarksville Downtown Redevelopment and Urban Renewal Plan does not adhere to Tennessee Codes and will have a detrimental effect on “mostly the poor, elderly and minorities residents of this inner city community.” The plan has been highly touted by city officials, Mayor Johnny Piper, and the Downtown Business Partnership (DDP).

Garland further charges that the plan is a possible “civil rights infraction” by the Clarksville City Council. The Council is scheduled to hold a second reading and a final vote on the ordinance Thursday evening during a special session scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at 108 Public Square.

“No real plan has been introduced that will define the actual areas to be redeveloped and which properties are actually blighted within the targeted area,” Garland said.

Clarksville NAACP President Jimmie Garland Sr. [center] stands with irate property owners outside a “public” hearing on the “blight” bill.

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Sections: Issues, News, Politics | 3 Comments

Homelessness: It can happen to anyone

By Chris Lugo | February 19, 2008 |

According to a recent point in time survey by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there are an estimated 740,000 experiencing homelessness at any given time in America. In addition to this, an estimated 3.5 million people will experience temporary homelessness at some point in a given year, including some 1.35 million children according to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

As America slides into a recession many victims of the mortgage crisis will find themselves homeless, hidden victims of the subprime loan fallout. The fact is that homelessness can happen to anyone, children, working adults, veterans and even entire families.

I believe that we as Americans have the collective will to end homelessness in America by strengthening the social safety net and making sure that no one falls through the cracks. At the federal level there are many proposals available that would provide a seamless web to catch those who have fallen on hard times and insure that in the future no one is found sleeping under a bridge or frozen to death in the middle of the winter for lack of adequate housing. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion | 5 Comments