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Resident urges means test, no-fault inspections for Third Ward housing-repair program
Summary
At the March 10 meeting a resident supported forgivable-loan programs in the Third Ward toolkit but urged means testing and 'no-fault' inspections to prioritize code-violation repairs for the neediest households.
Gerald Teres told the University City Council on March 10 that forgivable-loan programs proposed in the Third Ward housing toolkit are a good idea but will fail without measures to prioritize the neediest households.
Teres, who identified his address as 7345 Chamberlain Avenue, recommended a means test so that households with the most urgent repair needs and the least ability to pay receive funds first. He urged that program funds be directed initially to code violations and other urgent repairs and that applicants undergo a "no-fault housing inspection" used only to guide repairs, not to penalize owners.
"For this program to have the kind of results that are needed, you'll have to put in a means test," Teres said. He proposed a staged approach: serve applicants with urgent needs first, then expand eligibility stepwise until funds are expended.
Teres framed the proposal as a one-shot opportunity that must be done right to improve the housing stock and public safety; his comments were delivered during the public-comment period and no immediate council action is recorded in the transcript.
