What are the greatest impediments to fair housing in Benton Harbor? That’s the subject of a review done by the Benton Harbor Community and Economic Development Department. Director Alex Little went over some of the results with city commissioners Tuesday night. Mayor Marcus Muhammad asked Little to name the number one impediment to fair housing in the city.
“It’s the lack of availability of suitable housing in all the categories,” Little said.
Little said cheap properties that can be bought up at auction lead to problems.
“The housing that is available is mostly low income housing. A lot of that housing that comes about, quite honestly, is occurring as a result of slumlords who are having tax averted properties and putting very little into it but then renting it out.”
The report was discussed during a public hearing needed for the city to seek all of the Community Development Block Grant funding for which it’s eligible. The city commission held four public hearings with Little Tuesday night to meet HUD standards. Little said there isn’t enough quality housing in the city for those with moderate incomes. Also Tuesday, the city commission appointed Little assistant city manager.
