Ida flooding in Norwich leaves residents with damage, concerns norwichbulletin.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from norwichbulletin.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
NORWICH As officials approach the issue of racism and the effect on city services a model may already exist right within the city s borders.
During its meeting on July 19, the City Council voted unanimously on a resolution to recognize racism as a public health crisis. Among the measures in the resolution is the creation of a Health Equity Commission to help eliminate barriers to healthcare and other opportunities in the city.
However, the Board of Education has already had its Equity Committee for some time. Formed last fall, the committee has met twice so far and, according to Board of Education Secretary Carline Charmelus the process is still early, but leading to changes. Charmelus said the board approved a Racial Equity Policy during June’s meeting, and is working on a plan for the district’s Equity Director Sarah Duso.
Norwich City Manager John Salomone wanted to use a good portion of the city’s American Rescue Plan grants to create a plan that would attack blighted housing, boost the city tax rolls and create more affordable homeownership.
Pretty quickly, he realized he didn’t have to create the program. It existed in the successful, well-respected local agency Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut.
“We had a concept originally to take the abandoned and foreclosed properties, and instead of just turning around and selling them, to renovate and sell them, so they would go back into the neighborhood as positive places,” Salomone said. “Then I started thinking about it. I’ve always admired the houses that Habitat puts up, and they have a lot of expertise, so maybe we could partner and enhance the project for us, take the administration away and leverage the money and get more out of it.”
The Day - City, Habitat making homeownership possible - News from southeastern Connecticut theday.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theday.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.