|
|
By
Inez Killingsworth, National People's Action Co-Chairperson
Looking back at the year of 2003, we saw some important local victories
for neighborhoods.
In Cleveland, we have been very successful with our local bank agreements.
Through our partnership with Third Federal, we have been able to
help many people refinance out of bad loans. In addition, we were
able to stop many foreclosures by implementing a Hot Spot Card process
that homeowners could use to negotiate their loans. We have also
made a lot of progress on an alternative route for borrowers called
the Fannie Mae NTIC product, which one of our partner banks Charter
One uses.
The Fannie Mae NTIC product is currently being offered successfully
in six cities across the country. It offers borrowers a low down
payment that is not contigent on credit scores.
These are the types of product that should be modeled across the
country in all 50 states. More people across the country should
have the ability to refinance from bad loans to good loans.
However, one of the biggest problems facing neighborhoods today
is the lack of commitment and investment from those in power in
Washington, D.C. The emphasis in Washington has been on homeland
security, but our neighborhoods are not secure because of the lack
of homeownership, lack of job opportunities, and lack of funds for
education. HUD has a policy of homeownership that has not been effective
in our neighborhoods. Bush's policy of No Child Left Behind is not
effective in our neighborhoods.
Our neighborhoods have seen first hand the effects of a bad economy
and lack of leadership from the government. In Cleveland, foreclosures
are increasing and people are losing their homes. People are losing
their jobs, and new ones are hard to find. The city is laying off
police officers while our neighborhoods are unsafe. New schools
haven’t been built in Cleveland in 10 years and there is no
money to fix the many dilapidated school buildings. Housing is substandard,
with many houses being constructed with material that isn’t
meant to last more than 20-30 years.
Neighborhoods across the country are facing similar problems with
crime, fair housing and education, but the Bush administration has
chosen to ignore the problems facing our neighborhoods while it
continues to spend money at a record pace.
At the 33rd Annual National People’s Action Conference in
March, it is now more important than ever that our neighborhoods
are made a priority in this administration’s agenda. Our neighborhoods
need good loans, safety, improved education and some attention from
those who can help us in Washington D.C.
I have heard people in Washington D.C. talk about affordable housing,
but I don’t see it in my neighborhood. I don’t even
see programs being implemented to begin to deal with the housing
needs of my community. In March, we need to make our voices heard!
We need to create additional pressure for banks to invest in local
Community Reinvestment Agreements. It is more important than ever
to make sure we stay on top of the predatory lenders that destroy
our communities. Those type of lenders have made the economic situation
in our neighborhood worse by making credit readily available and
then snatching the rug from underneath us by making loans impossible
to keep up with.
The economic turmoil of the last couple of years along with this
administration’s political priorities have had a major effect
on our neighborhoods. It is time to make Washington D.C. listen
to our demands! We need to push for the people's agenda!
back
to top
|
|
|
