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.

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,

tennis courts, and parks.

Model Cities is stressing programs for youth and the elderly. Youth-oriented projects can be found throughout this handbook.

The Model Cities Committee on problems of the aging was organized as a citizen participation structure in February 1969. It has the responsibility for monitoring, evacuating, and planning all specialized services for the MN elderly. Its membership is composed of senior citizens representing their respective MN areas.

The committee promotes the organization of seven committees on aging at the area level. The committee is now conducting a home visitation survey to define the unmet needs and problems of the elderly. Necessary referrals to meet immediate crisis situations will, of course, be made.

Efforts will be focussed on motivating the elderly to again become involved in the mainstream of community life.

FIVE YEAR GOAL

To raise the level of recreational facilities and opportunities to city-wide standards.

DON BOSCO CENTER EXPANSION

Services of the Don Bosco Community Center, in the Columbus Park area, will be expanded. Repairs, renovation, and new gym equipment will be furnished, and Italian language classes and Italian cultural heritage classes will be given. Arts, crafts, and music programs for youths and adults will be expanded.

The center's board of directors will be restructured to include MN residents.