I think I’m getting to old and cranky to continue putting up with political bullshit. Why is the only time politicians mention affordable housing is when then are using it to get something else they want? Exhibit A:
Sorry, this is a bit of old news, but I’m still catching up a bit, buried in work and tiny houses.
February 19, 2014
Jennifer Cheatham Superintendent
Madison Metropolitan School District 545 West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703-1995Dear Superintendent Cheatham:
I appreciated receiving Assistant Superintendent Michael Barry’s letter communicating the ‘perspectives of the Mad ison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and Board of Education regarding Tax Increment District (TID) # 25, the downtown economic development project known as Judge Doyle Square, and the challenges facing MMSD in ensuring academic success for all students under an inadequate state school financing regime.
As you know, tax incremental financing is a tool to foster the economic development necessary for a strong tax base that can support essential public services, including elementary and secondary education and public safety. Since its creation in 1995, TID # 25 has supported public and private investments in transformative downtown economic development projects, including the Block 89 office and retail complex, the Monona Terrace convention hotel, and the Madison Mark apartments. The success of these projects and the overall economic activity associated with a revitalized downtown has created an opportunity to make further community investments through this TIO.
With this in mind, my goals, which I believe are consistent with the School Board’s, are to:
• Provide MMSD with fund ing support for its academic mission proportional to the school district levy share of the current estimated balance in TID #25.
• Invest in additional affordable housing for private and public sector workers as authorized under the state’s tax incremental financing law.
• Ensure the availability of adequate tax increment to support public investment in the continued redevelopment of the downtown area as a destination for residents and visitors through the Judge Doyle Square project, includ ing the incremental cost of underground parking.
• Continue Madison’s success with returning TID-supported development to the tax base of the school district, city, county, and technical college as rapidly as possible.I have directed City staff to develop a plan that can accomplish these goals. As soon as this work is completed, I would expect that presentations will be made to the Common Council and the Board of Education to consider the necessary resolutions and agreements.
I look forward to working together to achieve our shared goals of a strong economy and successful schools for Madison businesses, residents, families and children.
Sincerely,
Mayor Paul SoglinCC: Asst. Supt. Michael Barry, Board of Education, Common Council
Here’s some crumbs and some lip service.
Yesterday Robbie Webber forwarded me some info I find of interest – The link has a nice interactive map with this info.
Dane County, WI
For every 100 extremely low-income renter households (ELI), there are only
21 affordable and available rental units.In this area, households of four earning less than $24,850 are classified as ELI.
23,829 = Total ELI renter households
5,003 = Affordable and available rental units
18,826 = The total gap between ELI households and affordable and vailable rental units
3,975 = Estimated affordable and available rental units serving ELI households with HUD assistancehttp://blog.metrotrends.org/2014/03/america-rental-housing-crisis/
A single mom with 3 kids would need to be making almost $12/hour to be this poor. Nationwide there are 29 units per 100 persons at ELI.
Sorry, but one bitten, twice shy. Mayor Dave, during his election, talked about affordable housing for months and did nothing and ultimately undermined what little was done. Mayor Soglin has staff studying it. But years and years and years have gone by, most efforts have been undone and people don’t have affordable housing. I’m not ready for more lip service and promises and crumbs. I know the Mayor put in the 50ish units of housing for chronically homeless persons, and I am grateful, but the need for that population is 10 times that and the need throughout our community is nearly 20,000 units. If we can spend millions upon millions for a hotel we don’t even know if we need (and there are good arguments we don’t), can we please spend at least the same amount on a desperate need in our community.
