Minutes 07/27/1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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138 July 27, 1982 (1) There must be an ongoing shelter, or shelters, for persons displaced because of governmental action such as codes enforcement and for those without a place to sleep. There are many vacant buildings in the city at ~his time. A most suitable structure for such a purpose is the 13-room dormitory section of the Effingham Street Y.M.C.A., which was formerly rented by the Volunteers of America for the housing of released felons. We uFge you to act quickly while the building is still in usable condition and also to research other possibilities, such as schooll, buildings. (2) A new housing policy should be established which would be aimed as saving as many housing units as possible. The City should deYelop a Housing Services Office which would emphasize a balanced program of systematic inspection and upgrading of existing housing stock. ~t would offer counseling on rehabilitation loans and tax exemption and offer technical help, including tools, for those individuals and businesses desiring to maintain their property. We urge you to request the City Manager to arrange to se~d appropriate staff persons to Norfolk Housing Services for a briefing on that program and a guided tour of certain sections of Norfolk, an experience Which we have already enjoyed. In our judgement, such a program holds much promise as a model for the future. (3) Relocation procedures should be re-examined in light of anticipated federal cut- backs in Community Development funding. In particular, we recommend that the City Attorney be requested to study the Relocation Seciion of the Code of Virginia (amended), Chapter 426, which appears to provide for relocation assistance for those persons displaced by codes enforcement. This is a re-enactment of the Uniform Relocation Assistance & Real Property Act of 1972 of H-1393~, Chapter 6, Aritcle 1. (4) (6) The City Attorney should be requested to study the laws of Virginia pertaining to Homesteading to determine whether or not the city could make the Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority its agent to dispose of houses to selected individuals committed to their rehabilitation within a certain period of time. This is a possibility which has been discussed and a question which has not yet been resolved to our satisfaction. The possibility of constructing the previously planned 100 units of Section 8 housing should be examined by P.R.H.A. since the need is well documented and since H.U.D. previously gave its approval to the construction. The private sector should be kept informed and should be involved in future planning of a balanced housing program. The Chamber of Commerce and individual businesses should be solicited for innovative ideas and for resources as well. Individuals with relocation needs should be consulted, as well as those agencies which have close contact on a daily basis with low income people. Private agencies such as Wesley Center, Oasis, and the Salvation Army constantly receive requests for help in finding housing from people experiencing many different kinds of problems. Their input could be very valuable to planners. While the responsibilit for relocating displaced men, women, and children is primarily that of municipal government, the experience and cooperation of the private sector is needed and should be invited and encouraged. 82-279- Motions'of Mr. Holley and seconded by Mr. Whitlow to suspend the rules to allow the following late speakers: Durvin P. Cromwell, 2820 Hyman Street, representing the Hattonsville Civic League, complained about lac~ of street repairs and groundskeeping on city property in the neighborhoo Ellis W. James, 1804 N. Lakeland Dr. ~ Norfolk, president of Tidewater Fair Housing Inc., urged the council to find ways low-income residents in the city. Council responded by indicating 82-280 - Mr. Beamer offered the to increase the amount of safe, sanitary housing for their commitment to Codes Enforcement. following nomination for appointments to Boards/Commissio~ George L. Hanbury, II, was appointed to the CEMETERY TRUSTEES, SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION, VIRGINIA MUNIQIPAL LEAGUE (URBAN SECTION ALTERNATE), and the WILLIAMS COURT STUDY COMMISSION. Motion of Mr. Gray and seconded by Mrs. Webb to close nominations, and there being no further nominations, the above member to be elected to the designated Boards/Commission, and was adopted by unanimous Vote. 82-281 - Motion of Mr. Beamer and seconded by Mr. Gray to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing the following, and was adopted by unanimous Vote: (A) USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY (1) Acquisition, Sale and Use (2) Waterfront Development (3) Industrial Development