Hello friends!
Over the last three years I’ve been working with Metropolitan Housing Coalition of various projects around affordable housing in Louisville. Cathy, and Curtis are good friends of mine, and I find the work they do around advocacy, education, and research of affordable housing here in Louisville to be an invaluable resource for our city. Right now our city has around 7,000 vacant properties many located in the West and South end (where I grew up), a 25,000 person section 8 waiting list, and many homeless families, including 9,000 homeless children, in desperate need of affordable housing. MHC is working with the metro council, Mayor Fischer, and other non-profits to make sure that these properties don’t stay abandoned, and that they are repurposed so that they can provide new affordable housing options for residents of the Louisville metro area.
MHC has brought in Dan Kildee, a nationally renowned expert on foreclosed properties and tax liens from Detroit, to speak to the Mayor and others, about what Louisville can do on the city and state level to change the legal landscape such that these properties are available first to our land bank and not outside private investors who do not have much concern for the state of housing in Louisville.
MHC was also integral to mentoring me while I organized residents at Sheppard’s Square public housing complex as we prepared them for the changes they would experience after the demolition of their homes, and the subsequent scattering through the section 8 program. Without Cathy and Curtis’s help I would have been at a loss at how to create a direct link between the Housing Authority and the residents of Sheppard Square, who felt a significant amount of fear and anger due to the uncertainty of their impending move, and because of a breakdown in communication between the two parties in previous projects. With their help I was able to make sure residents received information directly, face to face, rather than through mailings, phone calls, etc. And although in the end they were still scattered throughout Louisville, they were directly involved in the decisions leading up to the move, and were able to speak directly to the Housing Authority when they so desired.
I cannot tell you how important membership is to Metropolitan Housing Coalition. Nowadays, grants only cover the cost of projects implemented by non-profits. Pay for the talented, and already vastly underpaid folks that make up these organizations is in short supply. And while I understand that we are in an economic downturn, it’s essential that we don’t let the groups that advocate, and educate us fall by the wayside.
Today, I am asking you to not only make a donation, but to show your ownership over the issues we face in Louisville around affordable housing. For $3 a month, $36 a year, you can support MHC in the second most vital way possible; the first is by giving your time to participate on one of their committee’s or volunteering your time. Three dollars a month may not seem like much, but imagine if 200 new members made this pledge? Sustainable giving, like this, is how we make sure organizations we value remain viable in times of economic crisis. Furthermore, it shows our commitment to the work they have done, and will do, into the future.
Please take a small amount of time today to visit the below website and let MHC know how much you value the work they do around creating education, advocacy, and research about affordable housing in Louisville.
Thanks,
Drew Tucker
Metropolitan Housing member, and sustainable giver
https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/MetropolitanHousingCoalition/OnlineDonation.html
Thursday, April 05, 2012
A plea for affordable housing. Take a look.
And now, a message from my cousin, Drew Tucker, about the Metropolitan Housing Coalition. Please do what you can to help make affordable housing a priority in Louisville. -Brian
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
2012 Southwest Pride Cleanup set for Saturday, March 31st
“This event has always had so many people and groups who come out to help make our community the special place that it is to live and work,” says Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12). “It’s one of the most successful of the community wide cleanups held in the spring.”
On Saturday, volunteers will gather at 9080 Dixie Highway, next to Dairy Queen in the Park Place Mall and then fan out across the area to pick up litter and trash along roadways and other areas.
Registration for volunteers begins at 8:30 am. The cleanup is from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Individuals and groups are welcome. Everything needed for the cleanup will be provided.
“The organizers of this event have everything ready to go,” says Councilman Bob Henderson (D-14). “I want to encourage everyone who has some free time on Saturday to come out and help us.”
Cash prizes will be awarded to the largest groups of volunteers so recruit friends from your neighborhood, business, school, church, sports team or troop and choose any area you feel needs cleaned. All groups must be present at the sign in location to participate in cash award contest.
“We had such great success with our cleanup last fall and I look forward to yet another successful effort this weekend,” says Councilman David Yates (D-25). “This is how people make a difference in a community and set an example for others.”
For more information about the Southwest Pride Community Cleanup, please contact Kim Leanhart at 502-367-3880 or Jim Caskey at 502-367-3886
Monday, March 19, 2012
'Grand Opening' for Fairdale library, March 24
There will be tours of the library, refreshments, and fun activities for the whole family.
The first 250 people over 12 years old will receive a commemorative USB flash drive - courtesy of the Library Foundation - with a downloaded copy of Don Wittry’s “History of Fairdale.”
Note: The former Fairdale Library branch (in the Playtorium) closed this past Saturday to move books and materials to the new building. The new branch will be open after Saturday's ceremonies.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
March District 12 Dialogue to focus on Economic Development
“Metro Louisville is slowly recovering from the recession and it is important to understand the role of economic development and job creation,” says Blackwell. “Many people may not realize what all is involved in growing the local economy.”
Pattie Claire, Assistant Director of Economic Development and Innovation for Metro Louisville will be on hand to give an overview of his department, its function, and the new added role of Innovation and what it means for residents of the city.
"Innovation is an interesting concept for Louisville," says Blackwell. "This is a fantastic opportunity for District 12 residents to learn more about what that means for them."
The March District 12 Dialogue is set for the Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway beginning at 7:00pm.
Representatives from IPL, MSD, LMPD, and Congressman John Yarmuth's office will also be on hand to answer your questions.
For more information, contact Councilman Blackwell’s office at 574-1112.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Fairdale library grand opening, March 24
Tour the library, try out the new computers and enjoy refreshments and fun activities for the whole family. The first 250 people over 12 will receive a USB flash drive - courtesy of the Library Foundation - complete with a downloaded copy of Don Wittry’s “History of Fairdale.”
The free-standing 7600 square foot library more than doubles capacity. Built adjacent to the current Fairdale branch library in the Playtorium., the new Fairdale Library employs state-of-the-art technology, has a large children’s section, and makes use of energy efficient and green building methods and materials.
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