
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990                   TAG: 9006140474
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOW CAN HENRY STREET HELP THE POOR?

A RECENT article about the Henry Street project stated that Total Action Against Poverty has received a $600,000 federal grant to finance the music center and restaurant.

It seems as though the local valley business community could have helped finance and start this project themselves if it looked profitable. One can only wonder how spending $600,000 on this project can help fight poverty in the Roanoke Valley.

It also makes you wonder who will really benefit from this money. While TAP does have many fine programs that have helped a lot of people, it also allows mismanagement of its programs and funds. The way the weatherization program is set up, even wealthy landlords can have TAP weatherize the houses they own and rent to Section 8 people.

Many of these houses are worth as much as $40,000 and more. The landlords can afford to pay for this themselves. This also means that many needy individuals will continue to live in substandard housing, all because the money is not going where it's needed most.

JAMES SPANGLER\ ROANOKE

by CNB