To the editor:
There is an affordable housing crisis in this country. Wages have not kept up with the cost of housing, in part, because Republicans refuse to raise the minimum wage. The Bush administration has proposed huge cuts in Section 8 housing subsidy, a program to help persons unable to afford market-rate housing. For the city of St. Paul alone, it would be a loss of $4.1 million in 2005. Even Governor Pawlenty has objected, an administration that balancedÝour stateÝbudget on the backs of the poor. Sen. Coleman, who claimed to be a close friend of Bush, has been ineffective in getting the Bush administration to change its position, even though it will significantly increase homelessness in America. Our local legislators, Pete Nelson and Sean Nienow, have also been ineffective in either stopping the onslaught against Section 8 or in supporting a bonding bill for housing, that was defeated in the State House. I give credit to the city of North Branch for forming a task force to develop recommendations to address this problem.

I give credit to organizations like the Minnesota Housing Partnership, CommonBond, and Habitat for Humanity for trying to be part of the solution. I give credit to Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Authorities who understand the value of workforce housing and the Section 8 program. As a community we need to elect progressive political leaders that understand the importance of affordable housing to a community, not politicians who are trying to fuel the recovery for the rich at the expense of working families and the poor. We need a recovery that lifts everyoneís boat situation.

Robert G. Walz
North Branch

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