THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503040416
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
The city is about to appoint its long-awaited task force on the future of Norfolk's public housing.
The panel is being formed at a key time in local, state and federal policy shifts.
Norfolk has revitalized much of downtown, but concerns linger about the relationship of multimillion dollar development and nearby public housing.
The state is embarking on a major welfare-reform program, and the federal government is moving toward other important changes in public housing and welfare.
``I know this will be one of the most important things I'll do in my tenure as a councilman. It will affect even unborn generations to come,'' said City Councilman Herbert M. Collins Sr.
Collins will be co-chairman of the task force with Councilman Dr. Mason C. Andrews.
Collins said the task force will take a comprehensive look at Norfolk's public housing, including the social conditions of residents, educational and job opportunities, and the effect of crime.
Collins jumped into the public-housing issue last September after the Planning Commission voiced concerns to the City Council.
The commissioners suggested that improvements to public housing, especially at three neighborhoods near downtown, would help protect investment in projects such as the proposed $270 million MacArthur Center shopping mall.
The commissioners said they wanted to see public-housing residents share in the benefits from downtown renewal.
Collins said he agrees with the planning commission's goals. But in September, he described public-housing residents as a ``subculture that's not acceptable.''
``These are the most underemployed, the most undereducated, the most underchurched, they are the most underdisciplined people in our society,'' he said then.
Collins later said he was not blaming public-housing residents but calling attention to their problems.
Since then, Collins said he has been learning more about public housing and believes that public-housing residents should be blended into Norfolk's general population.
``It seems to me that there's too much warehousing. They need to be brought into the mainstream,'' he said.
``I think the most important thing . . . is to give opportunities for people to better their lives and lifestyles, where they haven't had opportunities before,'' Collins said.
He also said he is keeping an open mind about changes, not ruling out some demolition.
In addition to Collins and Andrews, the task force is expected to have 37 members.
They include public-housing tenant leaders, educators, ministers, lawyers, judges, university presidents, civic-league and political activists, a former congressman and the wife of a City Council member.
Collins said he wanted a representational cross-section of Norfolk's population to serve on the task force.
``It's going to take everybody to make it a success, and perhaps a model to the nation,'' he said.
The task force also will examine innovative public-housing programs elsewhere in the nation.
The panel, which does not have a budget, will rely on the staff of some city agencies, such as the School Board and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Collins said.
David H. Rice, housing authority executive director, said he welcomed the opportunity. ``I hope what comes out of it is an understanding and a consensus on the way we are operating public housing . . . so that there is no doubt we are doing what everybody wants us to do,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: City Councilman Herbert M. Collins Sr.
by CNB