Why Fully Fund NRP Phase II and Continue This Award Winning Program beyond 2009?
1) NRP has encouraged investment in neighborhoods. More than $1 billion leveraged as a result of the investments of neighborhoods.
2) NRP is an investment program that generates increased tax base, neighborhood stability and the empowerment of residents.
3) More participation of residents as a result of NRP than at any time in the past 40 years; more than 1,000 people are on the Boards of neighborhood organizations, countless others are volunteers. In the past 8 years, 12 City Council Members and one Mayor were either Chairs or somehow participated with their Neighborhood Revitalization Program neighborhood organizations.
4) There is a way to almost fully fund the commitment the city made to Phase II without increasing taxes, without using the general fund or impacting police or public works budgets; we have shown the council and mayor the way to do this.
5) A jointly supported (by NRP, the City and the neighborhoods) legislative initiative is needed this session if we are to impact 2009.
6) No action had occurred on NRP until the legislation was introduced last year to do something; even the Tax Committee Chair admitted that the legislature needed to help with a long term solution because the legislature helped create this problem.
7) Neighborhoods are quick to recognize deterioration and make resolving it a priority; they can act faster and more cost effective than the city. This saves city dollars, encourages residential stability, and commitments of private dollars.
8) It is not just about giving organizations some funds for administration or communication; it is about giving residents some control of a limited amount of funds to help accomplish their priorities. NRP's expenditures in 2006 amount to 7/10th of 1% of the City's budget.
9) Neighborhoods have used their funds for programs and services that help the least fortunate in their neighborhood, even if the boards may not look exactly like the populations in the neighborhood.
10) NRP has educated and informed residents to make them better citizens and partners.
How can NRP Phase II Shortfall be funded?
Time is of the essence if NRP Phase II is to be fully funded.
The City Council can make decisions today to see that NRP Phase II is fully funded. If NRP is a priority, why hasn't one Council Member outright said they support fully funding NRP and found a way themselves to do it?
What you can do:
*Contact your elected officials and tell them you want them to find a way to fully fund NRP Phase II and Fund NRP beyond 2009.