Before delving into why that is, I should first disclose that today is my last day as Housing Director of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council. And I believe the private market, not non-profits, is poised to take the lead on revitalizing our community--if we let it.
While private rehabbers and new owners are chipping away at the shell they've been in, here comes a new program that could keep that from happening. Urban Homeworks and PPL are working to buy up 100 north Minneapolis houses and convert them to rentals, albeit temporarily. The plan after two years will be to sell them back to owner-occupants, and use the interim period to do credit repair and other work with their clients. This is an initiative I fully and wholeheartedly support. Except for the part about rental properties. And there being 100 of them. And the involvement of Urban Homeworks and PPL. Other than that, it's great.
Now if this seems like I oppose the project in its entirety, I assure you that's not the case. Allow me to explain...
