Approving progress report under the Workable Program for Community Improvement

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DECLARATION OF 1101ACY FOR TIIE WORKABLE PROGRA\1 FOR C011itiUNITY E\IPROVEMENT In reviewing progress under its Program for Community Improvement, a locality is taking stock— evaluating its accomplishments and deciding on new goals for the coming years. This is an important process —publicize it as a means of building community understanding and support for community improvement objectives. Prepare a Declaration of Policy statement to be issued by the chief executive officer and governing body to the people of the community. The statement should identify and summarize (1) signifi- cant achievements during the past year; (2) changes or revisions in the community's overall objectives, and (3) major goals which are set for attainment during the coming year. DECLARATION OF POLICY South Bend has been most fortunate in having availed of many means of assis- tance in waging war on community problems . It would appear now that with the execution of the Downtown Renewal and the Industrial Expansion that the sever- est cases of bligh requiring the drastic action of tearing down and rebuilding will be curtailed. It is with a dedication then that South Bend now approach- es the problems of gradual decay with the knowledge of how expensive delays in reaching for solutions can be. Equal opportunith in housing has been a steadfast goal of the Administration. After passage of a resolution to this effect and three years of learning, this year a comprehensive fair housing ordinance was made a part of the Municipal Code for South Bend. Also during the past year several ordinances have been passed or under review in updating all portions of South Bend's Building Code sections of the Minicipal Code. Theoretically major steps have been taken and the practical results are constantly under review. Presently it is planned to embark on a Code Compliance Program in a systematic manner about the City. This summer attention shall be focused in the Ohio- Keasey Area of South Bend. The Mayor's Advisory Committee is preparing a re- port on a similar and more expansive project in the North-East section of South Bend in an effort to stem the decay being noticed there. The Model Neighborhood City Application made this year has been directed to an even larger area in the middle Western portion of the City. Also during the past year the Greater South Bend Housing Corporation has -begun its program of providing private enterprise low income and middle income hous- ing to alleviate a portion of the burden to the South Bend resident. Also the Public Housing Suthority has initiated with local government approval a leas- ing program for housing for low income people throughout the City. In conclusion, the declaration of policy is to achieve more local support for the problems of community living in order that the best assistance from other resources can be effectively applied to a greater percentage of problems. • J (Insert additional sheet or sheets for policy statement if necessary).