WASHINGTON – The Obama Administration today revealed new rules for HUD housing aimed to end “segregation” within communities and promote “integration” of subsidized housing into neighborhoods with greater opportunity.
This could mean that Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized housing – which is prevalent in North Iowa – may have to be made available in areas of communities where it has not usually been seen before. According to the New York Times, the rules are “intended to enforce Civil Rights-era fair housing laws whose mandate to desegregate communities and foster integration” which “has long been ignored”.
Locally, the North Iowa Regional Housing Authority (NIRHA) receives HUD funding. It assists “low income individuals and families by providing secure safe, decent and affordable housing.” The agency currently owns and operates 121 public housing units in ten communities and administers a Section 8 Program. NIRHA covers the counties of Cerro Gordo (excluding city of Mason City), Floyd (excluding city of Charles City), Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell (excluding city of Riceville) Winnebago and Worth.
This “final rule” outlined by HUD will “equip” communities that receive HUD funding with data and tools to help them meet long-standing fair housing obligations in their use of HUD funds. HUD also says it will get involved “to facilitate local decision-making on fair housing priorities and goals for affordable housing and community development.”
For more than forty years, HUD funding recipients have been obligated by law to reduce barriers to fair housing, so everyone can access affordable, quality housing. Established in the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the law directs HUD and its program participants to promote fair housing and equal opportunity. This obligation was intended to ensure that every person in America has the right to fair housing, regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status. The final rule aims to provide all HUD program participants with clear guidelines and data they can use to achieve those goals.
“Unfortunately, too many Americans find their dreams limited by where they come from, and a ZIP code should never determine a child’s future,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. “This important step will give local leaders the tools they need to provide all Americans with access to safe, affordable housing in communities that are rich with opportunity.”
HUD says this “final rule” was brought forward in response to an accountability report and requests from “stakeholders” and HUD program participants “who asked for clearer guidance, more technical assistance, better compliance and more meaningful outcomes.”
HUD says it will encourage “a balanced approach” in implementing the rule “that includes targeted investments in revitalizing areas, as well as increased housing choice in areas of opportunity.”
I agree there are some from Detroit and Chicago that aren’t doing this community any good, but neither are the drugs, the users or the slumlords. BUT…..HUD isn’t doing anyone any favors either, other than the people that are cashing those HUD checks every month. If HUD funding dried up, so would some of the problems associated with and because of it.
I think these people from Detroit and Chicago that come here and get HUD housing should live next door to the slumlords that rent to them.or at least on their street. I’m tired of these people bringing their criminal activity here. Sick if them coming here to peddle drugs. There aren’t any jobs here, so the drugs us the only reason they are here. Drugs are ruining North Iowa. And these slumlords are a huge part of the blame!
It means more criminals from Detroit and Chicago, just like the one who’s on trial right now for killing a woman in Northwood, in HUD-subsidized housing, and NIHRA helping them do it. That’s exactly how he came to be here, and I’m sure he came “to find a better life.” Uh-huh.
Well them scum wont find no better life if them Obama people puts them thiefs around some folks in Clear Lake. I say, park they’re butt’s up by the place on the South Shore Todd Blodget owns, they will not last to long. Would like to see this, would not be suprise they end up in his dumpster.
@ Pee Wee, you are a racist fool. Not even a trigger-happy Republitard gun nut like Blodgett would be stupid enough to shoot someone because he doesn’t want them in his neighborhood. Toddy boy has been locked up enough to not want to make a return appearance behind bars. Go away.
When people play the race card it is just a tool of the intellectually weak and lazy when they can not counter a logical argument of factual data. Now go away yourself.
There goes the neighborhood. Any housing can be affordable when tax payers foot the bill. Hopefully none of the slum lords own property in the decent quiet neighborhoods of town. Can’t you see this happening in Asbury, East Brook, Stone Pillar, never happen. The Rock Glen area would be good also.
I hope they move them into Ashbury or even better on East State street.
Hey, I live on East State St. and we already have two families of minoraties and they seem to be responsible, except for their dogs. And we have some crazy people too. Don’t sick them my way.
@Allen-I didn’t read it as just minority’s. I think it is income qualified so it is everyone who qualifies. Of course they will use HUD so who knows who will move next door to the elite’s.
Better yet…. North Jefferson
Bring them on. They will behave up here or we will get rid of them. We know how to do it.
Maybe a Hud Dud next to the cultural center – or a nice 50 unit dwelling by asbury next to the high school property – Good idea oslammer.