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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 2003)
(Eljr Jîortlanh (Bbseruer Page A6 H ousing S potlight April 30. 2003 Oregon Zoo Celebrates Mothers fc»-- HAP Tenants Pay at a Discount hotspot. sues. continued from Front Rudman said a snapshot o f the area "W e're not going to evict you if you the helm as director for the City Bureau o f taken in 1984 would show an area with loose your job and can’, pay your rent," Housing and Development. vacant houses, empty storefronts and Rudman said. "This is really the closest “ I’d heard Portland was a place where crime, or at least a perception o f crime. w e’ve come to housing being a basic people learned what worked and what In the early 90s a team o f around 12 right.” ____________ thrivingcommunityde- While many o f the people HAP serves velo p m en t c o rp o ra earn 60 percent or below the median in tions cam e into the come, but Rudman said an overwhelming n eig h b o rh o o d s and majority earn less than 30 percent. Many c laim ed ab an d o n ed are single parent headed households, a property and set the group Rudman said benefits most from area on the rejuvena stability. tion fast track. "W hat’s a single parent going to do Many o f the minor when their rent raises?" Rudman said. “If ity h o m e o w n e rs in they’re already paying 50 percent o f what north and northeast they bring in for rent, that leaves very little P o rtlan d fo u n d the left for anything else.” houses they owned to Through HAP programs, rather than be worth considerably being forced to the suburbs in search o f more than its purchase lower rent, a single parent would only pay price. 30 percent o f their monthly income for “If you owned your rent. Children can stay near their schools - Housing Authority of Portland Director Steve home you have wealth,” and parents near their jobs and rent will Rudman on the displacement of people from north Rudman said. “Wealth only rise if income does. and northeast Portland ________ is about assets, not in Rudman said he is pleased to be a par, come.” o f several decades o f evolution in a city didn’t work from other cities,” he said. So while revitalization was profitable that clearly strives for social change. His "The quality o f life here and the com mu for some minorities, for others it resulted next big project is the revitalization o f nity participation in the planning process in a mass exodus o f low-income inner-city north Portland’s Columbia Villa. Oregon’s makes the city really neat. Portland is a residents to the suburbs special place.” where housing was more Rudman said the people o f Portland affordable. seem to have a commitment to living near Rudman said many churches, jobs, schools and employment cities would love to have opportunities. Perhaps more importantly, this problem, but that’s he said is the desire to accept differences not what Portland wants. and maintain diverse communities. “We want people to "The richness o f a city comes from its have the opportunity to diversity," Rudman said. "Portland has a live, work and raise a fam - Housing Authority of Portland Director Steve true diversity o f income, culture and race." ily,” he said. “All o f a Rudman on why Portland Is a unique place to live But in order to maintain that diversity, sudden what started as ___________ he admits people must have a place to live. a revitalization agenda With more than 14,000 units serving more became a stabilization agenda, and hous largest public housing project. than 30,000 low-income people in the ing is a key factor for stability." "W hat I hope to see is Columbia Villa county and surrounding areas, HAP tries Through public housing projects and become a melting pot ofculture," Rudman its hardest to make sure residents aren’t Section 8 vouchers, the Housing Author said. “Hopefully we will see the integra displaced by raising housing costs. ity ensures that options are available for tion o f old and young, rich and poor and After north and northeast Portland was anyone who needs a place to live. black and white." discovered as a strategic location because Rudman said the Housing Authority These are exciting tim es, he said. o f quality-bui It houses and access to trans acts as a safety net not only for the poor, “How this city grow s and evolves will portation, an area that was traditionally bu, also for those with other barriers like be m ade from the decisions we made redlined to minorities became a real estate physical disabilities or mental health is to d a y .” « What started as a revitalization agenda became a stabilization agenda, and housing is a key factor fo r stability. The richness o f a city comes from its diversity. % Coco, a chimpanzee, Dannon, a swamp monkey and Thelma, a Southern sea otter are the finalists for this year's Zoo Mother of the Year. ‘s i Vote for animal Mother of the Year encouraged zoo will announce the 2003 Zoo M otherof the Year on Friday, May 9. The zoo is also honoring human moms with two special events. Mom & Me At The Zoo, a new event featuring treats for moms Oregon Zoo would like the public to and special activities for kids will take place help choose the Zoo Mother o f the on May 4from 10a.m. ,o4p.m. Washington Year. The finalists for this special honor Mutual Bank branch is offering discount are Coco, a chimpanzee, Dannon, a tickets for zoo admission. Event activities swamp monkey and Thelma, a Southern are free with zoo admission. sea otter. An online -------------------- M o th e r’s D ay ballot featuring pho Brunch wi 11 be served at tos o f zoo moms with the zoo's Cascade Gri 11, short biographies is on Sunday, May 11 from posted on the zoo’s 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Web site located a, brunch buffet includes www.oregonzoo.org. se a so n a l fru its, a s “All three moms are so rte d p a s trie s , incredibly important to scrambled eggs, pota their species, which toes O ’ Brien, bacon and —Zoo Director Tony Vecchio are either threatened sa u sa g e , o m e le ts, or endangered,” said F rench to ast, penne zoo director Tony Vecchio. “Allowing pasta primavera, smoked salmon tortellini, the public to choose a Zoo Mother o f spinach salad, bay shrimp and cucumber the Year gives us a chance to educate salad, fresh asparagus, and desserts. Cost them about the challenges facing these for the brunch is $ 15.95 adults 12 and older species.” and $ 7.95 Youth age three to 11 years. O n-line votes w ill be accepted Reservations are highly recommended and through 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 8. The can be made by calling 503-525-4299. All three moms are incredibly important to their species, which are either threatened or endangered. New Columbia Advertise online for FREE! www.HousingConnections.org Fill vacancies faster! • Display detailed descriptions of your units including maps showing area amenities, photos and floor plans • Your lisiting will be viewed by thousands of renters each week building new opportunities for Columbia Villa and North Portland opportunities Walsh Construction is serving as the Phase I Construction Manager-General Contractor and w ill be issuing bid packages fo r subcontractors. The first bid package is scheduled for May 26th and will focus on deconstruction and dem olition services. These will likely include asbestos removal, salvage activities, removal of selected trees, and other demolition services. easy to use and lets you control how your property is listed. For more info contact: Walsh Construction (503) 222-4375 and/or the Contractor Support Program, Housing Development Center (503) 335-3668 for assistance in proposal development Housing Connections is an effective way to reach renters with (J o in . With www.HousingConnections.org you can advertise your properties online for FREE and fill vacancies! Our service is in . t k e p U n n in ^ free listings of your properties and it is easy to establish an account. Simply visit the site and select the menu tab for landlords or call 503.823.4141. Start listing your units now: Visit the site at www.housingconnections.org Call 503.823.4141 E-mail staff@housingconnections.org Each month, Saturday Design Workshops, Community Advisory Committee meetings and Neighbors Task Force discussions are open to the public. For more information, please check the New Columbia website at www. hapdx. org/newcolum bia or call Andre Jackson, Community Participation Manager (503) 802-8424 H A P HOUSING AUTHORITY Of PORTLAND