Community
Outreach Partnership Center (COPC)
Working
Group on Housing Meeting
Tuesday,
January 8, 2002, 12:00-1:30
2017-C
Cathedral of Learning
In Attendance: Sabina Deitrick, Stephanie Schoenberg, Tracy Soska and John Wilds, COPC; Mary Hamilton and Steve Paikin, Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh; Andrew Aurand and Sungsoo Hwang, GSPIA; Michael Whitlock, HUD; Bob Hopkins, Housing Resource Center; Kathy Boykowycz, OCC; David Blenk, Megan Bursic, Ruth Feathers and Kelly Hoffman, OPDC
MINUTES
The COPC Brochure is completed. If you would like copies of the brochure for your office, please contact Tami Hirth at (412) 624-7708.
Kelly will email a summary of the transcripts from the student focus group on housing issues in Oakland.
The second focus group of Central Oakland residents was held on December 4, 2001. Critical issues that came out of the focus group included: absentee landlords, loud neighbors, lack of every day necessities (i.e. grocery store, elementary school), need for stronger police presence and better city code enforcement.
If residents show interest, OPDC is willing to assist in creating Block Clubs within different sections of Oakland.
Upcoming focus groups include:
Long-term residents/Homeowners
6:00pm, 1/25/02 at the New Light Baptist Church
Long-term residents/Homeowners
7:00pm, 1/29/02 at St. Regis Church
Future focus groups include the following populations:
Immigrants; Disabled/MH; Institutional/Government
Fair Housing Partnership will be conducting a countywide audit of fair housing practices toward immigrant populations. OPDC and FHP will work together to identify international students and student groups for potential FHP testers. If you know of anyone interested in becoming an FHP tester, contact Steve Paikin at (412) 391-2535.
The office now has a phone: (412) 953-8805. A computer will be ordered soon. Brochures, pamphlets and maps will be picked up from the Department of City Planning, Fair Housing Partnership, and HUD.
Stephanie Schoenberg will be staffing the COPC/HRC Satellite Office once it opens. Her office hours will be Tuesday 9:00am – 3:00pm; Wednesday 9:00am – 5:00pm; Thursday 9:00am – 3:00pm.
OCC and OPDC will also use the office as needed.
David Blenk reported that attendance at the Code Enforcement Meetings has shrunk. There are only a few city departments still attending and three local organizations: HRC, OCC and OPDC. The meetings seem to be ineffective because there is no buy-in. David asked the group, "How do we fix it?"
In May 2001, OPDC conducted a preliminary review of housing in Census Tract 405. The preliminary review of housing was done to estimate occupancy; however, while inspecting the properties for estimated occupancy, significant clusters of deteriorated properties were noted and reported to OPDC, Oakland Community Council (OCC), and the Department of City Planning.
Ruth Feathers, working as a consultant for OPDC, conducted a follow-up inspection. Ruth’s noted that many of the problems had been corrected. However, there still remained some evidence of damage or deterioration, and a new property appeared on the list. A copy of Ruth’s report is attached.
Conversation ensued regarding how the group will strategically address code enforcement and absentee landlords.
Andrew Aurand mentioned that City Council just passed legislation that enables city residents and community organizations an opportunity to file civil complaints against negligent property owners. By documenting information and filling out a complaint form that is directed to Housing Court, individuals and organizations can now seek resolution of a maintenence violation from the Housing Court Magistrate.
Andrew will look into having someone from the Vacant Property Working Group come to February’s meeting to discuss the new legislation.
The Working Group on Housing will meet the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:30pm in 2017C Cathedral of Learning, unless otherwise noted.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 12, 2002.
Contact Stephanie Schoenberg at slsst88@hotmail.com or (412) 624-6336
to RSVP and to put items on the agenda.