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Metro IAF is making moves in: Connecticut • Illinois • Maryland • Massachusetts • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Virginia • Washington DC • Germany

METRO IAF IMPACT

Metro IAF Update

Baltimore Mayor Announces Significant $50 Million “Down payment” to Address Abandoned & Vacant Houses
Over 100 Leaders Turn Out for Tax Assistance Action in Wake County, NC
Major Win for Mental Health in Northern Cook County led by United Power Members: Living Room in Evanston
$5 million for United Power's Reclaiming Chicago Campaign in the 2023 State Budget

MARYLAND

VICTORY: Baltimore Mayor announces significant “down payment” to address abandoned & vacant houses

On March 11, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced a $39 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – with a commitment to increase that amount to $50 million – to address abandoned & vacant properties in Baltimore City. This will be the single largest investment to address this issue in Baltimore’s history. This investment came after BUILD pressed Mayor Scott and top city officials to adopt BUILD’s plan to address abandoned & vacant properties in Baltimore City.

FULL STORY HERE

NORTH CAROLINA

Over 100 Leaders Turn Out for Tax Assistance Action

104 neighborhood leaders met Sunday, February 27, 2022, to rally for property tax assistance.

Over 100 neighborhood leaders and their supporters rallied for property tax assistance Sunday, February 27, 2022, at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. The action was held one day prior to an important Board of Commissioners work session where Commissioners received an initial menu of options from county staff to expand tax assistance across Wake County. Commissioners had requested this information from staff last fall, in response to ONE Wake's request for increased assistance for long-time African-American homeowners being pushed out by gentrification-driven sky-rocketing real estate taxes.

FULL STORY HERE

ILLINOIS

Major Win for Mental Health in Northern Cook County led by United Power Members: Living Room in Evanston

After many years of pressing and building relationships in Evanston, IL, among people and institutions that want better results for people with mental illness, United Power for Action and Justice leaders, on Monday March 28, 2022, watched joyfully as the Evanston City Council approved $900,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to develop a mental health “Living Room” in Evanston. The Living Room is a welcoming and safe space for persons in mental health crisis to receive immediate care.

United Power for Action and Justice (UPAJ) has been organizing for several years to improve mental health services in Cook County. Diversion of people in crisis from jail has been the focus of UPAJ’s organizing successfully for Crisis Intervention Team training of Evanston, Skokie, and Rogers Park Police officers and supporting an alternative to the Hospital Emergency Room.

FULL STORY HERE

$5 million for United Power's Reclaiming Chicago Campaign

UPAJ secured $5 million in additional money from the IL capital budget that can be utilized towards building 2,000 Nehemiah homes in North Lawndale, Back of the Yards, and Roseland and rehab of vacant buildings into affordable homes in Chicago Lawn. To date, UPAJ has raised $32.5 million for homebuyer subsidies, home construction, and to prepare the vacant city lots.

FULL STORY HERE

Check out our website for more updates

Metro IAF, is part of the Industrial Areas Foundation, the nation’s first and largest network of multi-faith community organizations. Our member organizations have deep-roots in the political and financial power centers in the eastern United States and Europe.

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