RE: Housing Infrastructure Preservation Fund - budget amendment

Dear Mayor Barrett and Council members,

 

A little late but I would like to submit my comments and concerns about the Housing Infrastructure Preservation Fund and budget amendment for your consideration.  I am neither for or against the amendment, however, I do think the program/process this funding falls under, should be reevaluated, and at the least, more carefully scrutinized with detailed open records for public access - 'transparency'.

 

The reason for my concern and curiosity is the example I personally witnessed, of excessive use of the City’s (federal?) resources for one single family property rehab, including building a new garage and landscaping @ 1227 N 28^th street (how does a new garage stabilize a neighborhood? ).  I was informed by my city representative that this was funded by HIPF.  I was also informed by another about NSP2 funding use….This rehab was nearly a quarter of a million dollars at $203,357. (if that figure even includes the garage? - No permits/records are online).  I think the amount of spending on this rehab for a single family home is outrageous.  I have asked a city employee for specific records on this particular project and could not give them to me. *I did not see this 1227 N 28th st. property listed on the : 'Housing Infrastructure Preservation Fund projects summary' or any document presented at the hearing/s.   This is 'Transparency'?

 

I also feel slighted, as I watched this excessive City directed rehab, that there does not seem to be funds for a type of ‘Minor Home Repair’ program for home owner occupied neighbors such as myself, struggling on a limited budget (like most neighbors) after being layed-off from Harley-Davidson as a 14 year employee who made a commitment to my Milwaukee neighborhood, by purchasing my home via the ‘Walk to Work” program.  I also feel slighted that there were no opportunities for neighborhood community engagement in the selection process of these rehabs.  Why not rehab a foreclosed city owned home @ 30^th and Juneau across from my mother’s home I might ask?  That might be more impactful on a street in much greater distress that the homes selected on already restored blocks.

 

Although I am in favor of saving beautiful, historically significant buildings here in Milwaukee,  my opinion is that by this one 1227 N 28^th street home program rehab example, this questionable HIPF funding seems excessive especially during a time when our city tax roll is in a foreclosure crisis and needs to be more prudent and find the best and most innovative ways to restore much more seriously blighted neighborhoods in Milwaukee, in need of financial support.  Is this the best use of our limited resources for the greater good of the Milwaukee community as a whole?   My opinion is NO.  

 

Sincerely,

Lisa Jacobson