As I previously reported, the budget passed by Council a week and a half ago included an amendment, sponsored by Jannie Blackwell, that transferred Housing Trust Fund money from one line item to another, thereby blocking expenditures of Housing Trust Funds on the creation of affordable housing in the next Fiscal Year.
Early last week, Councilman Darrell Clarke introduced a transfer amendment that would move the money back. After a meeting of the advisory committee on the Trust Fund, Councilwoman Blackwell promised to vote for the transfer amendment. And then new threats to the fund arose.
Two New Threats to the Housing Trust Fund
But, since then Councilwoman Blackwell has introduced two new ordinances. The first would require that all Housing Trust funds be spent equally in all districts. I’ll explain in a moment why this ordinance is problematic. But the second is even worse. It calls for THE ELIMINATION OF THE HOUSING TRUST FUND ENTIRELY.
Creating a Housing Trust Fund was a major accomplishment of the Affordable Housing Coalition. At a time when progressives are coming together to take the next step in our fight for affordable housing—our movement for inclusionary zoning legislation—it would be very said if the city were to take a major step back and kill the Housing Trust Fund.
While on the surface Blackwell’s other ordinance looks like a matter of equity, serious questions can be raised about it.. First, while I think it is a good idea to try to create more diverse neighborhoods all over the city, the immediate need for affordable housing is not equal in all districts. Second, the trust fund operates by putting out a Request for Proposals to non-profit and for profit developers of affordable housing. Some projects are better than others. Does it really make sense to fund inferior projects in, that generate less affordable housing at greater cost, just to create some artificial equity in any one year?
What Is Behind the Threat to the Trust Fund
All of these moves seem to be a part of Councilwoman Blackwell’s efforts to block the Mayor’s plan to consolidate housing agencies. Since no one knows the details of this proposal, Councilwoman Blackwell may be right to try to stop it.
So, I don’t mean to take sides on the housing consolidation issue. But there is something really putrid about holding money for affordable housing hostage while our various factions fight over the spoils of office. Can’t the majority leader of Council find some other way to fight the Mayor?
Upcoming Hearing
There will be hearings on Clarke’s transfer ordinance and Blackwell’ proposal to distribute funds equally Wednesday at 3 pm. The hearing on the ordinance to kill the Housing Trust Fund is scheduled for Thursday at 8:45.