[imc-st.louis] The Housing Crisis in St. Louis

[Don Fitz]

Black & Green Wednesday

FORUM: The Housing Crisis in St. Louis

WHEN: 7 pm, Wednesday December 3, 2008

WHERE: Legacy Books and Café, 5249 Delmar (near Union)

A panel discussion will include:

* Lionel Nixon, Universal African Peoples Org, Green Party [moderator]

* James M. Heard, Director, Housing and Urban Development

* Cheryl Lovell, Executive Director, St. Louis Housing Authority

* Sean Thomas, Old North St. Louis Restoration Group

* Greg Tumlin, Citizens Coalition to Fight Eminent Domain Abuse

* Bertha Gilkey, Housing Consultant

St. Louis needs to expand available housing that is affordable and 
lead-free. Citizens need to know which agencies can help them with 
housing issues, either through grants, vouchers or other forms of 
assistance.

But problems in St. Louis are getting worse as low income housing is 
being turned over to private developers. Homes are being torn down to 
make room for medium income and well-to-do families.

Fair housing legislation should protect residents from discrimination, 
including having children. Unfortunately, many who need public housing 
do not earn enough to qualify for benefits of “affordable housing,” 
which requires an income of at least $19,000.

Empty areas between houses pose a major barrier to rebuilding St. Louis 
communities. This is made worse by speculators’ buying up property, 
forcing renters out, and not doing anything to improve it. We need not 
just homes, but communities where people can live safely with their 
neighbors. Come help us develop recommendations for housing policy reform.

Sponsored by Gateway Green Alliance and Universal African Peoples 
Organization. For more information call 314-727-8554 or visit:

www.gateway-greens.org