Atlanta close to tearing down last housing project

[Number23]

Atlanta close to tearing down last housing project

The nation's bulldozer attack on crime and poverty will soon make Atlanta — home of the first public housing development — the first major city to eliminate all of its large housing projects.

Cities from Boston to Los Angeles are following its lead. For more than 15 years, housing officials across the country have been razing the projects where some 1.2 million families live and replacing them with a mix of higher-rent and subsidized apartments and homes.

Money Quote: "Most of the displaced residents have received vouchers to put them in privately owned housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development acknowledges, however, that it doesn't know what happened to thousands of families."

So HUD hears that people in housing projects are "disproportionately affected by crime" and their solution is to get rid of the housing projects without the slightest bit of concern for where these (often poor and black) residents turn up??

[Number23]

1. Maxine Waters responds:

"We don't know whether or not those people who have been displaced are getting Section 8 vouchers to go someplace else, and whether someplace else is available," said Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. Originally a supporter of public housing reform, she's come to question the program that's demolished thousands of units in Los Angeles and San Diego.

Waters has requested a demolition moratorium and 20,000 additional Section 8 vouchers to support displaced families, an option that comes with its own problems. Critics have long attacked Section 8 as a poorly run program that supports landlords for providing barely inhabitable housing."

[bobbolink]

16. Maxine Waters for President! That woman is my shero!

From my experience of trying to make any improvments in the homeless situation, what I see is a huge lack of interest.

We are asking people to ALL make a lot of noise with their congresscritters concerning health care reform, yet where are the activists for homelessness? Yes, the few who work in the trenches, but what about "progressives" in general? Why isn't this a MAJOR issue?

What do we do to support Rep. Waters with this moratoriam, and how do we make it nationwide?

This is one HUGE issue, and I don't know how to build a fire under people to take it seriously.

[Number23]

19. I'm so glad you're here!

:loveya:

What do we do to support Rep. Waters with this moratoriam, and how do we make it nationwide?

Good Lord, that's the question of the millenium. Maxine Waters gets shoved out of the spotlight more than just about any other member of Congress. And it's a shame because so much of what she says is spot on. Hmmmm, I think I just explained why she gets pushed out of the spotlight. :)

*sigh* I don't have the first clue how to make this a nationwide issue. Bobbo, it's one of those issues like being burned. You can tell a child "don't touch the stove" a million and a ten times but all they have to do is touch that hot stove ONCE and they'll never do it again. It's now a part of their conscious. Unfortunately, it seems as if much of the homeless issue is the same way. People don't give a damn until they are the ones getting put out of their homes.

[Raineyb]

2. In other words, HUD doesn't care so long as they can tell someone that they took care of the

crime problem in the projects. No projects no problems.

:grr:

This on top of the story about NYC shipping off homeless families rather than house them in shelters or more appropriately do something about the housing situation here so that people can actually afford to live in the bloody city.

I think I need a break.

[Number23]

3. Of course they don't care. There's no poliical capital in poor, black people

This on top of the story about NYC shipping off homeless families

Where did they ship them? And is it just me or is this some isht that sounds like that would happen in some banana republic lead by some wannabe despot let alone NYC and Atlanta???

[Blue_Tires]

4. I lived in Atlanta in the 90s and they did that then before the olympics

[Number23]

10. Yep. And it was interesting reading the bit about the evolution of Techwood Homes

Techwood Homes was an armpit when I lived in Atlanta up until I left in 2000. It was absolutely heartbreaking to see entire families there. Born there, raised there, die there.

Bankhead was much worse. I remember the part in the article when they talked about postal workers going on strike and refusing to deliver mail to Bankhead. That was just CRAZY.

[Fire1]

5. NYC gave the homeless a one way ticket to a relatives house

ANYWHERE OTHER than NYC. Of course, the relatives have to be willing to take them. To me, that is not a solution but just moving the problem to a new location. You should've seen the thread on this last evening! Unbelievable!

[Raineyb]

7. No it's not a solution

And I can't believe the number of people cheering as if it were some genius move. Some even went so far as to say that now that these families are living with relatives that they're no longer homeless. Unbelievable! Truly vomit inducing.

[bobbolink]

17. The problem is you haven't been reading your bible carefully enough.

In Matthew 25, Jesus clearly says, "I was homeless and you sent me out of town."

Don't you remember reading that?

[Number23]

20. lol

Followed by Cleetus 14:57 - "And when they took me out of my home, my relatives keepeth me. Until I annoyed them."

[bobbolink]

22. oh, gigglesnort!!! You're too damned good!

I want to tell you something... I have used that line on more than one clergy person. That's right, I'm not proud.

Because, y0ou see, I'm homeless in an affluent, quite white, area, and rather than take their beaucoup resources and provide the housing that is so badly needed, they SHIP PEOPLE TO DENVOID! Yes, wealthy communities are doing exactly what NYC is doing. I tried to call into a local AirAmerica radio show to say exactly this today, and not only got turned away without being able to get on air, but insulted with "What do you think progressives can do about this? Why aren't you calling your representatives offices?"

Yes, when you're homeless, the assumption is made that you are doing NOTHING, except crying "victim".

Sound familiar?

Yes, it's exactly the same thing EVERY minority has been told.

The really hilarious part of this.... (?) The host in question is... LATINO.

Yup, often yesterdays oppressed becomes today's oppressor.

[Number23]

23. So does this mean that you have been "shipped" somewhere, Bobbolink?

Or know people who have??

How in the world does that work? Are you given options to choose where you'll go or do they just tell you? And are there any procedures in place to make sure that the homeless will have SOMETHING waiting for them when they get where they're going?

[bobbolink]

24. The "Homeless Program" of Evergreen CO is to run people out of town---by the POLICE

Yes, they attempted to do it to me. The only thing that saved me was that I had a signed letter by a clergy in my car. I asked the cop pointblank... if I hadn't had this letter, you would have forced me into Denvoid, right? And he agreed.

I said, "And you know the only housing there, the shelters, are full, right?" He replied in a very subdued tone, "To overflowing."

Yes, they know what they are doing,and they simply DON'T CARE.

To put this in perspective, last year, about 90 homeless men and ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-TWO homeless women died on the streets of Denvoid.

Yet, they will ship us there!

:nuke:

[Number23]

36. Absolutely outrageous. I'm so angry reading this

To put this in perspective, last year, about 90 homeless men and ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-TWO homeless women died on the streets of Denvoid.

This is madness. And like I said, I'll be damned if this doesn't sound almost exactly what you'd read about happening in some banana republic run by some despot. Sickening.

[Number23]

11. I had no idea. That is disgusting.

To me, that is not a solution but just moving the problem to a new location.

Absolutely. And the sad part is, I'm sure the folks being "bussed" to their new locations had as many opportunities and chances for happiness at the new spot as they did at the last one -- NONE.

There was a thread on this on DU?? Can you post the link?? I'll look for it myself but I'd like to read it. I'm sure that the many, MANY experts on racism and poverty here have sooo much to say about this issue. :eyes:

[Fire1]

14. Number23, Here ya go:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6176897

[Number23]

18. Thanks, Fire1. I'm five posts in to the "discussion" and already pissed.

[Raineyb]

6. They'll ship them anywhere so long as someone will let them sleep on their couch.

They've even shipped people to Paris, France and Johannesburg, South Africa. Meanwhile looking into getting more affordable housing in place here in the city? That they're not so interested in.

There are people cheering as this is a good plan to get people on their feet. But they don't seem too interested in the underlining problem. The problem is lack of affordable housing. How does shipping people to other locales change that? That may benefit the people who were shipped off (as apparently there's on obligation to take the ticket) but it doesn't solve anything it just pushes the problem onto another locale.

Our affordable housing situation is ridiculous and instead of making it possible for people to afford a place to live Bloomberg's solution is to try to ship off as many people as he can get to take the plane/bus/train ticket or gas card to get the hell out.

Affordable housing problem? What affordable housing problem? And now that we've shipped off those pesky homeless we don't have that problem either.

:sarcasm:

Bloomberg is a worthless POS who unfortunately may well end up taking that third term that he got the City Council to allow him to take (by overturning the vote of the people when they voted for term limits.)

[Fire1]

8. The homeless with relatives in other countries will no doubt be

better off. But like you said, that is no solution to the underlying problem. Homeless in Nashville is JUST as homeless in Detroit.
What is the fuckin difference?? THIS country is no place for poor people, the elderly or minorities. I'll have to wait for my son to get his degree and told him he can't be screwing around cause I'm not getting any younger, but I plan to apply for dual citizenship. I don't think I can take much more of this place.

[Raineyb]

9. I hear you.

I'm stuck in NYC at the moment but I'm working to get my degree as fast as I can so I can get out. I just don't see me getting what I want here. I'll never be able to buy my own place and the rents are ridiculous and worsening.

[Number23]

13. "THIS country is no place for poor people, the elderly or minorities."

Girl, you speak the TRUTH.

[Number23]

12. Paris?? South Africa??!

What in the world?? Why is that even an option? If you are born and raised in Atlanta or NYC why would you want to move to another country surrounded by strangers speaking a language you may not understand??! Am I missing something? Were the people they shipped there ORIGINALLY from those countries?? Otherwise, that makes no sense!

The problem is lack of affordable housing.

Absolutely! And the global recession has made a small dent in this problem but not enough for the people who need it most.

I am just blown away that cities in the United States of America are actually SHIPPING homeless people to different cities, shit sometimes even different countries! What the hell is going on??

[Fire1]

15. Yes. Some homeless people have relatives in these

countries who are willing to take them. The article doesn't say where they originated from just that they have relatives there. I still think it's a shitty idea. I want to know what happens to people who don't have any relatives left?? Where do they go???

[Number23]

21. Me too

I want to know what happens to people who don't have any relatives left?? Where do they go???

You know, I wouldn't be surprised if the answer for alot of these people was jail.

I'm to the point now where I wouldn't put ANYTHING past these city officials. And rounding up homeless people and shipping them to jail doesn't sound nearly as farfetched to me as it should.

[Fire1]

26. True that!! Wouldn't surprise me, either. n/t

[bobbolink]

35. well, jail would be a lot cheaper than providing low-income housing, right????

need I add....:sarcasm:

Actually, I KNOW it works the other way around.

A friend has a brother who works with AIDS patients, and one who couldn't get a home and/or treatment, got a gun (no ammunition, just a cheap gun) and held up a 7/11 just to get arrested and put in jail.... warm bed, food, treatment.

How sick is that for the richest c0untry in the world?????

[bobbolink]

25. "Where do they go???' A lot of us DIE.

Does it matter?

[Fire1]

27. Yes, it matters to me and many others who've been

complaining about the lack of low income housing and the homeless in this country.

[bobbolink]

28. Yes, there is a small minority who care, and for that I'm grateful!!

It's people like you who keep me going, and I'm very serious about that.

What we need to do now, tho, is to move from bitching about this awful crap, to ACTION. DU isn't good on action.... we need to figure out how to move beyond this stalemate.

I've sent some information to Number 23, and I hope some of you are interesting in carrying this further.

Just so you know... because of the info that #23 posted, I called Rep. Waters office this morning and got a lot of good info from her aide who is working on these issues.

One of the things is a new bill to work on, and ALSO, that they will be holding a hearing in NOLA the end of August!

That's something to look forward to!

Thanks for caring..... please help us to think of ideas to carry this forward.

:hi:

[Fire1]

29. You're most welcome bobbolink. I'm glad to hear that you got

a response from Rep. Waters office. I will PM #23 for the info you sent and will tap into whatever resources I have to help. Will also be watching for the NOLA hearings in August. I don't care what anybody says about our congressmen/women. They do what they can and are our only voice in this government and 'shadow' government. Meanwhile, hang in there and keep your head up. My prayers are with you.O8)

[bobbolink]

30. I will be happy to send you that information, if you'd like!

Maybe a few of us can put our heads together and figure out a plan.

Were you able to catch our series of essays we did in January? There was a LoT of information in them. If you didn't see them, I can look them up for you.

It seems to me that poverty and homelessness is one issue we can all come together on to advocate for! As some of you have said, poor and homeless people are disproportionately represented by people of color, although I'm uncomfortable with stressing that, for rather obvious reasons.

Many gay youth are homeless because they are kicked out of their homes by freaked-out parents, so it is a natural connection with the gay movment.

There are obvious tie-ins with the environmental movement.

It's been distressing that, while we all used to work together on issues during the 60s and 70s, now it's everyone (and every issue) for themselves. That serves only to strengthen the power at the top!

We MUST come together to work on this!

[Fire1]

31. Please do if it's not too much trouble. n/t

[bobbolink]

32. On it's way!

:hi:

[Number23]

37. You are absolutely right

As some of you have said, poor and homeless people are disproportionately represented by people of color, although I'm uncomfortable with stressing that, for rather obvious reasons.

Many gay youth are homeless because they are kicked out of their homes by freaked-out parents, so it is a natural connection with the gay movment.

The issue of homelessness touches every group in America, even the wealthy! Though they would desperately like to act as though it doesn't.

We have convinced ourselves that being educated, going to certain colleges, getting certain jobs etc. will somehow INNOCULATE us from homelessness. When in reality, all it takes is a sickness, or a loss of a job, or something and we're in the same boat. Ain't NOBODY immune from this.

[Number23]

33. Bobbo, I'm so happy that you are on a mission!

Man, if I was half as organized and committed as you are, I'd be Queen of the World by now. :)

I am so proud and pleased to see you moving stuff along a full 24 HOURS after me posting this little OP. You are an amazing inspiration.

[bobbolink]

34. Flattery will get you ANYTHING!

:rofl:

Seriously, I'm probably fueled by RAGE. I'm PISSED that for over 30 years now people have been suffering and dying on the streets of the richest country in the world, and few even give a rip.

:nuke:

You gave me the info, and all I did was make a phone call to the office of one of my favorite Representatives! It was a good excuse to make that call.... because, as I said to her aide, I wish that someday I will be able to vote for her as the first woman to call the Oval Office "my office".

:hi:

[cyndensco]

39. I was disheartened to hear that the city/Bloomberg offered one-way tickets

to many of NYC's homeless.

The news reader suggested the program was to reunite the homeless with their families back home. To me it sounded like Giuliano all over again.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/nyregion/29oneway.html?_r=1

[Number23]

40. You nailed it.

To me it sounded like Giuliano all over again.

This sounds EXACTLY like something that twisted lunatic would come up with. And remember, Bloomberg was supposed to be a Repub UPGRADE from Giuliani. Between this and rigging the books to get a third time in office, we see how well that worked out.

NYCity LEAVE THEM DAMN REPUBLICANS ALONE!

[Number23]

38. If anyone is interested in helping bobbolink with his fight to stop the demolitions

He's suggested that you contact Air America to get some more media coverage on this issue. They can be reached at:

http://airamerica.com/contact OR
[e-mail]

You can also reach Congresswoman Maxine Waters (is this woman too damn cute or what??!) at http://www.house.gov/waters/IMA/issue.htm OR http://www.house.gov/waters/contact/

This has probably become my favorite OP that I've ever created here on DU. I'm happy to see that something is being done that can affect so many people's lives.

[Fire1]

41. I e-mailed Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick regarding this matter

and urged her support and that of the Congressional Black Caucus of which Rep. Waters is also a member. I believe from reading the Rep's websites that they have adjourned until Sept. 8, 2009. Nevertheless, I will continue my e-mails and will follow up with calls.

[Number23]

42. High five, Fire1! Bobbo and I have talking via PM

and I think it would be great if you posted the contact info of anyone that you think could be of service in this.

I'll add this:

Link to HUD's Contact - http://www.hud.gov/assist/contactus.cfm
and Complaints pages - http://www.hud.gov/complaints/index.cfm

If you could add Rep. Cheek's and anyone else's contact info that would be fantastic. Thanks again and I meant what I said that at times like this being on the other side of the world is a big ol' pain in the butt. But I'm doing what I can, man!

[Fire1]

43. I have a personal contact at HUD. Will contact tomorrow

evening. Meanwhile, you guys can try Kilpatricks e-mail but I don't think you'll have any luck b/c she only responds to people in her district. I had to use my aunt's address to send the e-mail. http://www.house.gov/kilpatrick/
Keep on pushin!!:toast:

[Number23]

44. Whoops! And I just found out that bobbolink is a SHE and not a HE!

:blush: :blush: :blush:

Yes, my gend-ometer is allll jacked up again.