Owners Network Meeting Notes

May 21, 2025

A small turnout for Third Wednesday (Hump Day) Session at Tweet/Big Chicks Restaurant & Bar, May 21^st, provided an extraordinary opportunity for an intimate discussion with organizations present, light food and beverages.

• Two of the groups have experienced frustration hiring qualified grant writers/fundraisers and the option of a consultant playing that role was discussed.
• Service providers shared latest news about SNAP/LINK participants now receiving work requirements letters, with 30 day periods to demonstrate applications for work, and 90 days to start or risk termination of benefits.  Volunteer activities can suffice for those able to do it. Promises were made to share examples of Work Requirement Letters.
• Staffing/Caseload management strategies were compared/contrasted.
• Imminent termination of Court Based Rental Assistance (CBRA) was bemoaned and alternatives discussed.
• Affordable housing referrals with public walk-in services was discussed, with staffers frustrated by “unrealistic expectations” of applicants, mostly not willing to do labor-intensive search processes. (In follow-up debrief, localized and citywide efforts to do “centralized waiting lists” has drawn attention, but providers mostly hate this approach.  AffordableHousing.com is a resource that has potential but it is woefully out of date.  Perhaps through owner networking, this could be updated for lakefront developments… a future discussion.)
• The subject of covert/overt discrimination of applicants for housing, based on rent subsidy or source of income, was a hot topic. According to one participant, private market owners in their coalitions speak frankly about how to get around requirements… Another agency rep played unique, multiple roles – referring people for affordable housing; offering small building owners coaching assistance so that they might follow fair housing laws; and, collaboration with partner groups to do testing, enforcement and law suits. Public comments in Broadway Avenue Upzoning Plan were drawing fire, even as the case was made that this discrimination is rampant, but owners also need ombudsman and problem-solving services when dealing with rent subsidy agencies.
• Three agencies discussed past success and possible future collaboration to train/service tenants to better prepare Lease “Emergency Contacts” with information, and in the ideal, with volunteer and legal support, position tenants to execute wills and powers of attorney – which makes for better family planning as mature adults.  Representatives are aiming to do related sessions, which require heavy advance work with case workers, and to do it in the fall or late 2025.  Groups like UPLC, LCBH and CDEL were discussed as potential resource/volunteer providers. 

For more information on items discussed or your organization’s interests, 

contact Marshall Goldsmith at Voice of the People, marshall@uptownvoice.org