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2A NEWS/I[)t Clurhint Thursday, October 20, 2005 AFTORDABLE HOUSING BILL Funding restricted w w w. t hi ec hi a r I otte p os t-c o m Continued from page 1A in this (xjuntry that most need the housing that the fund would help subsidize,” he said U S. Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), chair the S Congressional Black Caucus, said he supports the bill, but has n’t read the possible “voter par ticipation” amendment in its entirety He said oppoi^nts can’t let a bill pass with erroneous pro visions in it and encourages peo ple to contact their congressman V^att ®nd voice their opposition. “When we start discouraging people from engaging in the political process as a means for getting funding to do anything for addressing economic issues, then we still have a problem,” Watt said. The original trill passed through the House Financial Services Committee with unanimous vote, but organizations say a back-room deal between Ohio Representative Michael Oxley and the Republican Study Committee has resulted in a nonprofit gag pro vision. North Carolina Reps. Walter Jones (R-3rd) and Patrick McHenry (R-lOth) are among the 19 co-sponsors of the bill introduced by Rep. Richard Baker of Louisiana. They did not return phone calls concerning the bUl and pos sible provisions. Some conservatives and Republicans argue that the provision is necessary to ensure money doesn’t end up in the hands of liberal advocacy groups. Supporters of the amendment fear that funds would be used with a partisan or bias motive. Jim Dixon, a member of the American Assodaticm for People with Disabilities, said non-profit organizations are meindated to offer voter registration services to poor and disabled in order to receive state funds. He said he does n’t think this provision is aimed at non profit organizations. He thinks it’s aimed at poor, low- income individuals who are not registered to vote. “The IRS monitors oiganizations and makes it very clear, we can do nonpartisan activities RECRUmNG FOR FOURTH CLASS and non partisan work, and if not, the I-R-S will pull our federal funding,” Dixon said. Sheila Crowley president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition has been a social worker for 30 years in the low income housing realm. She said the Coalition’s role is to keep a keen eye on the way funds are being used to benefit low-income housing and that non-profit groups are a necessity for this bill to be effec tive. “If non-poofit oiganizations are not involved, then, yes, it will be ineffective. The non-profit is what’s driving the building of low-income hous ing. The non-profit sector has to be relied on to make this work,” Crowley said. Crowley said she’s spoken with non-profits who say they would not give up their vot«* rights to fund affordable housing. Organizations support the trill aside fiom the proposed provision. Rev. Dr. WUli Gable Jr. is executive vice chairman of the National Baptist ConvQition, USA, Inc. in New Orleans Ihs organization provides affordable housing to seniors in 27 housing sites and 12 states. He hopes it will not come to the point where his organization has to choose between providing affordable housing and registering voters. “We would not give up our civic duty to encourage people to engage in their rights, for a few houses,” he said. “When New Orleans resi dents return to the dty they might be affected by this bill. 63 percent of New Orleans residents were renters. We want them to be homeown ers.” According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in 2003, there were an esti mated 94.2 million Americans living in unaf fordable or inadequate housing or, at worst, without any ’housing at all. Crowley urges everyone to ppah for the exclusion of the provi sion to this bill, to ensure the most effective out come. ‘T expect certainly that every democrat would vote to strike the amendment, and every responsible, reasonable, sensible Republican would, too,” she said The bill is expected to be sent to the House floor next week. Onef 45.D00 psKsol the hottest styles for nmetii, y/orDert and bcfe from the bestbrandb-alat up to 60% off ret^ Open Tuesday- Sunday vyww.sfishoe5.com SHOE WAHEHOHSE^ fiitsh FAsMums Mtjjf Tyvola Road & South Boulevard. Charlotte, NC. 704/527-1910 Program develops civic leaders Continued from page 1A with us. Then, we look for sponsorships for scholarships to go through the pregram,” said McMoore. When classes start, stu dents will learn how to write grants, economic develop ment, Afiican-American lead ership, communications skills, govemment/political awareness, area growth and development, financial man agement and a volunteer community initiative that is mandatory for graduation. Past facilitators of these classes include Latrelle McAllister, JCSUs hiunan resources director, attorney Danielle Bess Obiorah, presi dent of the Black Political Caucus and District 2 coimcil-. man James Mitchell Jr. Kevin Geter, FOFL’s Vice President and graduate of the second class, &q)lains that you get all of your monies worth in the pregram. “I thought the class was extremely exciting, which I never really expected I think that's a lot people’s perspec tive. When people hear about a six-month dass, they think of a grueling class and some lectures. After the first class, I was like this is really interac tive and a good mixture of people. It was also a great net work environment for us. Anthony Foxx, who is run ning for at at-large seat on City Council, is another note worthy graduate of FOFL. As leaders of FOFL, McMoore and Jeter were inspired to become entrepre- McMooreowns anindep«i- dent consulting firm and Geter owns a clothing cranpa- ny that specializes in men’s and ladies’formal wear. “After being a part of Focus, I knew I was ready to go to the next level and own my own business. If I can help run this oiganization and then I can get a business started,” said McMoore. For more information about Focus on Future Leaders, Ic^ on at www.FOFL.org. The Law Offices of Marcia Burton - specializing in • Bankruptcy “Laws Change Oct. 17th,... If you’re at risk, call today!” 704-609-6888 FAX: 704-295-5148 • E-Mail: attyburton@mbunonlaw.com 412 W. 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