Lauren Cnare v Barbara Davis
Cnare didn’t fill out the questionaire and Barbara Davis showed a real knowledge of housing issues in her district and in general, so it was an easy endorsement of Davis.
DAVIS ANSWERS
1. Do we have an adequate supply of affordable housing in Madison? (“Affordable” means that the rent or mortgage does not exceed 30 percent of the household income.)
Would you advocate for increasing funding for the City Affordable Housing Trust Fund? What other ideas would you have to increase the supply?
I think we need more affordable safe housing in Madison and it needs to be dispersed throughout the city to avoid a high concentration of low income residents in one community. I would like to see more development downtown that offers affordable housing, instead of just expensive luxury student housing. I am concerned that as we destroy older buildings that are no longer safe, that we are also diminishing the supply of affordable housing for students.
In the suburbs of the city, I would like to see more attention placed on affordable starter homes for single families. The former fertilizer factory lot on Cottage Grove Road and Monona Drive would be an excellent place to build a community of affordable single family housing and to incorporate services in a “town center” with walking access to food and day care. Already located on bus lines and with access to great schools in both Madison and Monona, it would be an excellent site for limited income families and single parents.
It’s also important to look at stabilizing already established neighborhoods, and protecting the value of affordable housing properties from deterioration and crime.
I would advocate for increased funding for affordable housing trust fund after basic needs of the city have been met and before considering TIF funding for development projects that could sustain themselves by private investments. I would support TIF funding for housing projects that provide a percentage of their development as affordable housing. I really liked the project that they built on East Johnson Street and would like to see more development similar to that with opportunities for lower income tenants to live in safe attractive places located on bus lines or downtown. In addition to building new homes, I believe it’s important to look at structures not currently in use and to evaluate if they could be converted into housing. I have seen many historic warehouses and factories converted into interesting, safe and attractive affordable housing in other cities. I would like to Madison do more with historic empty properties to preserve the structure while serving lower income residents.
2. Do you support the city facilitating the use of vacant properties for affordable housing, and if so, what do you think the city’s role should be? Would you support a vacant property registration ordinance?
In addition to building new homes, I believe it’s important to look at structures not currently in use and to evaluate if they could be converted into housing. I have seen many historic warehouses and factories converted into interesting, safe and attractive affordable housing in other cities. I would like to Madison do more with historic empty properties to preserve the structure while serving lower income residents.
It would be nice if the City had a way to purchase factories and warehouses no longer in use to convert into affordable housing and I would give TIF preference to these types of projects. Especially if they are located on or adjacent to vacant lots.
3. The rental housing market in the Madison area is very tight right now, with a 2.07 percent vacancy rate reported for the last quarter of 2012. Do you think the city should get involved in planning to make sure there is enough housing for its residents, and if so, what should its role be?
I have observed several projects recently in city meetings that seek to expand rental housing. However, my primary concern is that many of these projects have rents that only out of state college students with independently wealthy families can afford. I would like to see some stipulations on housing projects that a certain % of units in the project must be at reduced rents. These units should have choices of studio, 1 and 2BR units to meet diverse needs of individuals and families. Affordable housing should be available to everyone who needs it, not just individuals and families, but also including in state students attending school from lower income families.
Something I have noticed in my district is that while there is an abundance of affordable apartments, they are not connected to bus lines, which limits lower income families who may not have a car. I think it’s important to ensure we advocate for extending regular bus service to outlying areas that offer affordable rental housing so residents have a greater choice of where to live while still being able to connect to work and food sources.
4. Given that both the city and county provide funding to homeless shelters, do you think the city/county should play a role in making sure the shelters are adequately operated and meet standards for service and habitability? Would you support efforts to increase transparency and accountability through an improved shelter grievance process?
I am not familiar with the current grievance process for homeless shelters, but I do think that there should be a mechanism to insure they are clean, safe and habitable, with sufficient staff. There should probably be a means through which the city could send people to visit and evaluate the shelters similar to when a social worker conducts a home visit. They should be able to talk with people in the shelters and determine if there needs to be a grievance.
Additionally, I would like to see a smaller shelter for individuals who cannot function in the large group shelter successfully. This smaller shelter should also offer mental health care, and DOA rehabilitation services and access to medications for homeless who need them to be functional. There is a very small segment of our homeless population who is marginalized and left outside because they can’t function in the current options for shelter. We need to find a way to help those people so they aren’t standing outside in the cold.
5. It is estimated that there are 300-400 unsheltered persons living in the Madison area. Shelter stays are subject to annual limits of 60-90 days, depending on the shelter. Would you support making a downtown City building available to unsheltered persons to allow them to sleep in safety and access 24 hour restrooms?
I would like to see a smaller shelter for individuals who cannot function in the current larger group shelters successfully. This smaller shelter should also offer mental health care, and DOA rehabilitation services and access to medications for homeless who need them to be functional. There is a very small segment of our homeless population who is marginalized and left outside because they can’t function in the current options for shelter. We need to find a way to help those people so they aren’t standing outside in the cold.
If there is a downtown city building that has room available for homeless to sleep safely and access restrooms and staffing to make sure it stays safe overnight, we should be doing it. Currently some of the homeless are sleeping in the lobby of City Hall. The don’t ask don’t tell attitude of ignoring these people, while not doing anything to provide a viable option downtown for them is ridiculous. Another temporary solution during the winter months would be to open some of the warming houses located in city parks that used to house ice rinks. These shelter houses are equipped with large fireplaces, electricity, rest rooms with running water and are located on city owned property. It would be relatively easy to convert these unused buildings into safe sleeping quarters during the winter months. Its not a permanent solution because these places do not offer the mental health and AODA care that many homeless require, but its better than putting them in tents on the outskirts of town for the entire winter.
6. Would you support expanding local equal opportunity ordinances to prohibit discrimination in housing and public accommodations against person who have animals which a qualified professional has recommended as providing a beneficial service or support?
YES. This is an easy question. I am an animal lover and understand all the benefits a companion animal can provide for a person. Support dogs, seeing eye dogs, post traumatic stress disorder companion dogs are all value added and help keep people out of nursing homes and homeless shelters. I don’t think its outrageous to require a pet deposit on a rental property, but it should be limited to ½ months rent and pet owners with qualified recommendations should not have to pay higher rents than market rate to live with a companion animal.
7. AHAA is part of a coalition that is working to advance housing as a human right. Are you aware of the Housing as a Human Right resolution that was passed by the Madison City Council? The resolution is available here: http://madison.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=1775433&GUID=B82C4409-BF96-4361-A1A1-587ED424E4D6 Can we count on you to help implement the resolution? If so, what would be your priorities? Will you include implementation of the resolution in your priorities for the 2014 City Budget?
Are they serious about giving it a window until 2031 to bring affordable housing and shelters to appropriate levels? A twenty year window doesn’t feel like it’s a priority to me, although I think the sponsoring Alders have the right idea in the resolution. As I have indicated in my answers above, I am concerned about affordable housing and proper shelters with services, AODA counseling and mental health care for the people who need them. I would certainly consider this resolution when discussing the City’s budget, and believe that the things outlined in the resolution fall under the umbrella of providing basic services to constituents, so these issues along with other basic services would take priority for me when deciding how to spend taxpayer’s money. I would certainly like to see the levels outlined in the resolution attained before twenty years from now, and think we should be working every year to take steps in that direction.
8. Our state legislature recently enacted 2011 Wisconsin Act 108, which attacks local I ordinances expanding equal opportunity for lower income tenants. The law can be found here: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/108
The legislature also enacted 2011 Wisconsin Act 143, which makes changes to landlord/tenant practices. It can be found here:http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts/143
If 2011 Acts 108 and/or 143 are repealed, will you support full restoration of our fair housing and tenant protection ordinances?
Yes. Governor Walker and his assembly have certainly inflicted their fair share of damage to poor and middle class accordingly. I particularly despise the first ordinance mentioned above because it gives landlords the right to deny housing to immigrants. I have seen the repercussions of similar legislation in Missouri and its devastating impact on immigrant families who suddenly find themselves homeless and without sufficient funds to procure housing. If repealed I would definitely support full restoration of tenant protection ordinances. I am particularly saddened by the rights given the landlord under this legislation to dispose of or sell personal belongings of people living in their dwellings. Tenants should have an established time frame and access to their former home to recover belongings before a landlord could take such actions.
