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June 10, 1980
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<br />We believe that the faster the city acts to satisfy HUD and prevent th~ re-ghettoizatiqn_of
<br />downtown, the sooner o~her housing needs can b~ addressed. We believe that Newtown can become
<br />viable multi-racial, multi-income level community, 'but not until HUD's priorities have been
<br />satisfied.
<br />
<br /> Finally, we feel that the City Council should agree on a Housing Assistance Plan accept-
<br />able to HUD because it is right. We might not like HUD's heavy handedness, but you can't say
<br />we didnit ask for it. There ms no way to look at the housing patterns ~n Portsmouth and not
<br />conclude that there has been an historical pattern of racial injustice at work.
<br />
<br /> It is true that frightening amounts of power have gravitated to the federal government
<br />in the past half century, but this power became concentrated in W~shington because local and
<br />state governments evaded their responsibility and abdicated their authority.
<br />
<br /> We are a racially inclusive congregation. We respect and esteem each other. We believe
<br />there is nothing to fear in heeding HUD's injunction to do what is right. Ultimately, it
<br />could put our city in a stronger moral position to reclaim some of the power that has been
<br />surrendered to the federal government."
<br />
<br /> Virginia Pope, 716 Fayette Street, requested approval of the amendment of the Housing
<br />Assistance Plan so Southside could benefit from these funds.
<br />
<br /> Angela Lamb, 409 4tB Street, Student of Cradock High School, spoke of the condition of
<br />housing in her area and there was need for assistance in Southside.
<br />
<br /> A1 Tyler, 414--4th Street, representing the Assembly of Portsmouth, requested an amend-
<br />ment to the Housing Assistance Plan be adopted that will be accepable to HUD.
<br />
<br /> Jim Hartley, 43 E. Pollux Circle, representing Simonsdale Civic Club, requested that
<br />decisive action be taken, and to adopt Section 8 of the Housing Assistance Plan and that
<br />Section 8 be baaked up with court action if necessary.
<br />
<br /> John F. Coffey, S15 Craford Place, representing Community Action, Inc., presentedtthe
<br />following statement:
<br />
<br /> 'Community Action, Inc. desires to inform you of its support for the City's and PRHA's
<br />plans for additional housing opportunities in the City. Community Action, Inc. is ~ broad
<br />based organization of citizens of the City which is interested in the welfare and programs of
<br />Portsmouth and its Citizens. It is composed of volunteers from varying economic strata, race
<br />and creed, all interested in helping the City progress.
<br />
<br /> At its last Board Meeting, housing was discussed. We are distressed at the amount of
<br />poor and deteriorated housing still in Portsmouth and urge that council proceed actively with
<br />its plans for rehabilitation of the existing housing and limited construction of new housing
<br />throughout the-City.
<br />
<br /> In addition to the strong need for housing, theSCity must comply with laws and regulation
<br />so as not to jeopardize the various fede.ral funds, grants and loans for which we are eligible.
<br />Without this money, estimated to be between 612 to $14,000,000 annually, this City cannot
<br />exist because its citizens cannot afford to pay the real estate taxes that would be necessary
<br />to keep in as a viable community.
<br />
<br /> Community Action, Inc. feels that there is a great amount of misinformation and confusion
<br />concerning these needs: Most of the people who are in opposition to<t~eprovision of this
<br />additional housing do not realize that loss of Community Development Funds, EDA Grants and loaf
<br />housing funds, etc. will impact severely on the industrial growth of the City as well as the
<br />health and well being of ~ts citizens. The loss of the industrial tax base which will be
<br />provided by new industry, and the loss of C.D. funds will be tragic for Portsmouth.
<br />
<br /> In s~,we request that you vigorously pnrsue the development of proper housing throughout
<br />the City and establish a program which will ensure the citizans of this City understand the
<br />terrible impact that negativity toward this sensitive issue will have on Portsmouth."
<br />
<br /> Jim Tart, 1Sll David Lane, representing Hodges Manor Civic League, made the following
<br />presentation forRaymond~.~Strople,z"Attorney for Hodges Manor Civic League:
<br />
<br /> "The Hodges Manor Civic League has great concern about the demands of HUD as to low income
<br />housing in the City of Portsmouth. Recently the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authorit
<br />appeared before the Citizens Advisory Committee and proposed one hundred units of Section 8
<br />existing housing. The Authority gave the impression that HUD would approve the 100 units of
<br />Section 8 existing housing. At that time the City Planning Commission recommended that the
<br />City Council approve the 100 units for Section 8 existing housing provided that the Housing
<br />Authority, or some responsible agency, report each year to City Council as to the number of
<br />Section 8 existing housing units that were used for the year, the location of the units that
<br />were used as Section 8 existing housing, and report on economic and social indicators to see
<br />how the program was administered. The Housing Authority then advised us that HUD would not
<br />approve Section 8 existing housing in Portsmouth and we have seen no written communications
<br />spelling out why the proposal of 100 units for existing Section 8 housing was not suitable.
<br />Mr. Kay did mention that HUD was not satisfied that existing housing would place people in un-
<br />impacted areas. The plan could have provided that the Section 8 housing would have been placed
<br />in unimpacted areas just as the proposal before Council tonight has done.
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