MN residents are burdened with sub-standard homes and apartments, severe over-crowding, and discrimination. Most of the dwellings were built over 30 years ago; many date back as early as 1890. New homes in the MN aren't being built, and 48 per cent of th existing homes are deteriorating, or dilapidated. Many of the homes and apartments are abandoned, and others should be condemned. But there is a dearth of housing code inspectors, and they can't keep pace with the problem. Code enforcement without readily available resources to make repairs is undesirable. Insurance rates have been raised, and some policies have been cancelled, since the April, 1967 riots. The riot areas, which are in and near the MN-have been designated high risk areas by insurance companies. Existing public houding doesn't meet the demands. Discrimination still exists, despite Fair Housing legislation. Low income limits residents', housing choice, as does the difficulty of qualifying for loans from mortgage institutions. FIVE YEAR GOAL To provide residents with housing of good quality and design, of adequate size, which meets the needs of various age and income groups. HOUSING CODE INSPECTORS Seven inspectors will be added to the code enforcement staff of the City Health Department They will be assigned strictly to the MN-to implement the proposed concentrated housing code enforcement program, described in the addendum A systematic comprehensive inspection system will be established, to complement efforts to upgrade existing housing within the code enforcement area. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND Although non-profit sponsors of housing projects may qualify for low-interest, long-term loans from several federal programs, there is little such activity in the Kansas City MN. As an incentive, Model Cities has created the Housing Development Assistance Fund to provide for preliminary expenses: legal, engineering, and architectural fees and costs of options on property. The funds would help non profit sponsors launch housing developments. مطير HOME IMPROVEMENT REVOLVING LOAN Many MN homeowners do not qualify for low-rate loans and home improvement loans, on the one hand, or for private financing, on the other. A $300,000 revolving fund will be established to provide these homeowners with a source of low interest (3 per cent) home improvement funds. The maximum loan would be $3,000, payable over a five to seven year period. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION The Housing Development Corporation will be chartered as a non-profit corporation, with a Board of Directors comprised of Model Neighborhood residents, City government representatives, and representatives of the Greater Kansas City Housing, Inc., a group formerly affiliated with the Urban Coalition (1970 Board members are listed on Page 77). The corporation will co-ordinate local efforts to provide low and moderate-income housing in the MN. The first few months will be spent recruiting staff and organizing the corporation. First-year plans include a rehabilitation program, housing counseling services, and non-profit sponsorship of housing developments. The Corporation will also sponsor a Home Improvement Loan Fund and a Housing Development Assistance Fund. Model Cities expresses a concern-not only with the physical environment and material well-being of Model Neighborhood residents, but also with the quality of their leisure, their cultural and recreational opportunities. Leadership skills, self-respect, and pride can be as successfully developed through recreation as through work. Planned programs to reach all age groups-and the trained salaried personnel implement them-are lacking, while existing programs and services are fragmented. Although a concentrated effort has been made to substantially increase recreational facilities and leisure-time programs, it has been hampered by a lack of municipal revenues. More craft class facilities, and the transportation to reach them, are needed, as are a swimming pool, |