Black homeownership deserves a second look

Ask any financial coach and they’ll tell you homeownership is the number one way that households build wealth in the United States. But the home purchase process is complicated, and for most of our collective history, Black households were literally barred and excluded.

This was very much by design. Blacks were excluded from purchasing the most desirable homes via racial covenants in property deeds.

They were denied mortgages for the homes that were accessible to them because lenders viewed these homes, and Blacks themselves, as risky and even unworthy investments. (This is called redlining.) And for those who were fortunate enough to have achieved home ownership despite these barriers, generally in vibrant, commercially successful and majority Black neighborhoods, government planners regularly used their powers of eminent domain to bulldoze these communities and make way for interstates and other public “improvement” projects with little regard for those displaced.

As a result of these racist systems and policies, America today is left with a large and stubborn racial homeownership gap. In dents Redevelopment Council, PRG, Project for Pride in Living

The Center certifies these homeownership advisors, maintains the Home Stretch homebuyer education curriculum and certifies class instructors and educators.

The Minnesota Homeownership Center’s homebuyer advisory services are available to everyone, free-of-charge. Awareness of these services, however, is not widespread.

As we go about spreading the word, we’re focusing on those communities facing the greatest barriers to homeownership, namely lower income households and communities of color. We’re doing this by debunking the myths around credit, income and down payments that keep people from considering owner-

And we’re partnering with like-minded organizations working in the BIPOC homebuying space, including the National Association of Real Estate Brokers and Build Wealth Minnesota’s 9000 Equities initiative.

Over the course of the rest of the year, the Minnesota Homeownership Center will be running additional articles diving deeper into homeownership myths, the process of homebuyer advising, the newly revised Home Stretch homebuyer education curriculum, working with Realtors® and lenders, and more.

Our goals are to make readers and their families and friends aware that these free services exist, to drive read- ers to our website at www.HOCMN.org for more information and to access these services, and to enlist readers who do not currently own to consider, or reconsider, homeownership for themselves.

Some may ask, why consider homeownership now with the market tight and interest rates high compared to recent years. Our answer: The right time to purchase is the time that is right and that works for you. And even if you’re not ready today, you can GET READY now, so you can BE READY when the time IS right. The bottom line to consider is who gets to benefit from your monthly housing payment.

You can either pay a landlord’s mortgage, helping them to build wealth, or you can pay your own mortgage and begin building your own wealth through increasing home equity. Even when home values are stagnant, you’re still building this equity each month as you pay down your mortgage and you own outright a greater and greater share of your home.

For more information on the Minnesota Homeownership Center, its advisor and education services, and the history of racism in American homeownership, go to www.HOCMN.org.

Walz

Continued from page 1 projects. House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) called the new budget a ‘spending spree.’ In a statement, she added, “This budget is clearly focused on growing government, not giving money back to Minnesotans.”

But the governor and his team are pushing back on the notion that his ‘One Minnesota’ budget is fiscally irresponsible and a ploy to woo voters at election time.

In a sit-down interview last week at the State Capitol, Walz told the MSR that his budget plans, if accepted, will help all Minnesotans, including and especially the Black community.

“I think first and foremost, with Minnesota being in a situation with a budget surplus, we’ve got the opportunity to tackle some very systemic and historic inequities,” acknowledged the governor, pointing specifically to health issues.

Morales

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“We saw it during COVID, when the health inequities became more pronounced,” he added.

Nevertheless, Gov. Walz realizes that there are skeptics out there, especially in the Black community. But he’s determined to govern for all.

“I know the Black community is not monolithic,” continued Walz.

“And I know that they’re not all in the DFL camp. But I do know the Black community tends to be progressive, tends to be community-focused, tends to raise its voice. I think the community should have high expectations that a lot of those [inequities] are gonna change.”

“We’re being very deliberate,” said Walz, of the proposed budget. “I think the budget [was] very deliberating working with hundreds of community leaders in the Black community, being very clear about where we need to invest.”

Walz points to racial gaps in Minnesota in areas such as homeownership and education. “Making sure that we’re really addressing some of these disparities, childcare and the cost for families. Mak- ing sure that we’re cutting taxes for those folks and making childcare more affordable.

“I think of this budget as a very deliberate, thoughtful approach to making the cost of living less expensive, making education, housing, and healthcare more accessible and affordable,” said the governor.

As for his rebate plan, “I’m asking the legislature to send back checks,” said Walz.

“They’re not really big on the idea. But I think the community wants to see a little cash in their pockets and they want to be able to spend it the way

And in the last several years, what has happened that all of a sudden crime is starting to increase?” they want to.

“We’re going to be building out infrastructure around clean energy,” added Walz. “We’re going to be building out connectedness in broadband and the Black community needs to be there, and not just to benefit from the finished product, he continued. “They need to be there to make sure that there are entrepreneurs making money and have the opportunity to be a part of that.”

The governor, who was reelected last November for a second term said he wants to be challenged, held to the fire, so to stand that, so that I can make a personal connection with them,” says Morales. speak, to serve all Minnesotans.

“I appreciate the patience of the community,” stressed Walz.

“It really matters to me. I think what I really appreciate is the sense of friendship, especially coming in as a White guy from Mankato.” He also appreciates the “real relationships.”

Over the past few months, the governor and lieutenant governor have been part of a listening tour that began last year, called Mind, Body, and Soul, in which they have been meeting with Black leaders and residents across the state and soliciting feedback on their proposed budget. “People have been willing to tell me the truth,” said Walz. “Because in some of those meetings, I’ve gotten my butt chewed out,” he added.

“I want the community to say, ‘Okay, those things sound good. We know those things need to happen. But where do we go to see if we’re getting those results,’” he continued. “We’re going to do a lot of results-based governing, with dashboards that people can go on and see—here’s how we used the surplus. Here’s where the money went,” he continued, “whether it’s 12 months, 24 months, or 36 months down the road.”

As for accountability, “I think that’s the question that needs to be asked more. That’s the one that we really want to focus on,” he said. “We can’t throw more money at the problem. I want people to see what we are doing to restore the faith in government.”

Along with Walz and Flanagan’s re-election last November, the DFL took control of the state legislature for the first time since 2013-14, when one party controlled Minnesota’s House, Senate and governor’s office—the equivalent of a legislative trifecta.

He is optimistic that his budget will become reality when the 2023 legislative session concludes in May. Walz quickly pointed out, “I think it will be less difficult” to pass both houses than before. I just hope the community is with us.” police officer, which included using excessive force and racist language, threatening to seize property, stripsearching individuals and using a flashlight as a club.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments at challman@ spokesman-recorder.com.

Morales says those incidents helped him grow. “I most definitely learned from every incident, particularly when I’m being judged by civilian counterparts. Specifically, how to be empathetic, how to deal with situations. You learn from experience, and you move on,” said Morales.

Morales still seems to maintain support for the now debunked “broken windows” theory of policing—a strategy employed by the New York Police Department that focused on enforcing misdemeanors like fare—beating as a way to combat more serious crime— which disproportionately targeted poor neighborhoods and communities of color.

Although he never said he was a fan of it, Morales, nevertheless, defends the practice. “Addressing the quality-of-life issues is an important factor in that; if you deal with those issues, before they become major issues, you will eliminate a lot of other issues,” said Morales. “I expect people to pay their fare. But when we’re on the line [and we find out] you don’t pay your fare, well, I think that becomes very evident right away.”

When asked to cite evidence that those who don’t pay are the ones who cause trouble, Morales responded, “Twenty-five years of crime reductions in New York City. Twenty-five years of crime reduction across America.

Chaplin

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As a candidate for the position, Chaplin says that he was aligned with the city’s values, mission, and vision when it came to public health. He was at a point in his career where he hoped to expand his passion for helping people and continue relationship-building at a broader level.

Chaplin was appointed to lead the city’s health department by Mayor Jacob Frey on January 30. The city’s press release stated Chaplin’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and his work to combat the opioid crisis were some of the factors that led to his nomination. The statement also references his various

Although not paying the fare to ride public transit is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, punishable by a $180 fine, the state legislature expects to change that this session to a petty misdemeanor with a citation of at least $35 that can be issued by non-sworn personnel.

Until then, Morales allows his officers to decide what to do. “If you don’t pay your fare, then you have to be held accountable. That doesn’t necessarily lead to a citation or an arrest. But I give my officers the ability to use discretion, and to remove that individual from the line,” says Morales.

He demonstrates his approach one day as we walk into the Lake Street/ Midtown Station, where he ends up greeting and joking with two of his subordinates, who are working voluntary overtime to patrol the station with security officers from BelCom. The officers stopped riders as they entered the station, asking if they had paid their fare. Those who didn’t were directed to go to a nearby ticket-vending machine to pay their fare.

Aside from policing, he is a polyglot—he speaks Spanish and French, and then some. Back at Lake Street/ Midtown, as we make our way back up to the train platform, Morales interrupts our interview to speak Spanish to a young Latina girl of about six years old who is waiting for the train with her mother.

“It’s important that I connect with members of my community and they under- leadership roles including his involvement with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), as a director where he represents six states.

Chaplin says that his wife and four children have been supportive of the move. He’s been living in the city since March 15, and has been going through an onboarding process since arriving.

“Everyone has been completely outstanding. The mayor has been outstanding,” he said.

While he’s away from work, Chaplin says that he enjoys sparking conversations with Minneapolis residents to get a better sense of how they see the city’s public health approach.

“I enjoy walking around the community getting to know people as the weather warms up. I take advantage of the fact that most people don’t know

He is an avid marathon runner with a prolific fitness-oriented social media presence who practices Brazilian jiujitsu. He plans to run the Twin Cities Marathon later this year.

One of the first controversies he faced as transit police chief was how to handle disgraced former Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson, who returned to the agency after a leave of absence, following a drunk-driving crash on Interstate 94 near Alexandria in which he destroyed his assigned SUV, as well as allegations that he pro moted a hostile work environment. said Paul. “So where are they gonna go? This is the only warm spot where they can congregate except for four hours at night.”

Police Department has nothing to do with the Department of Justice and their review of the Minneapolis Police Department. That’s their conclusion within another department. We will support and fall in line,” says Morales.

Perhaps the burning question is how he will handle those who use drugs. During our interview, Morales demonstrated that as we left the Lake Street/Midtown Station. We board the second car, known by many as where people smoke.

We happened upon a group of people on one end of the car who appeared to be smoking. “The party’s over, right?” Morales said to the group. Some of them proceed to run out of the train. Some remained onboard.

One decided to get off at the last minute, but was stopped by Morales as the door closed.

It turns out they gather in the second train car because that’s where they can keep one another safe.

Although some in the group felt uncomfortable speaking with Morales, citing their past experiences with law enforcement, they nonetheless engaged with him, with one thanking him and the department for the ample notice they gave to encampments before they cleared them.

“You gave them ample [30 days] heads up because it really sucks to wake up [and hear] you got 15 minutes to move. This is their home,” said Paul. “I’ve been in a tent before with everything I own and they told [me] you have 15 minutes, what you can’t take will be bulldozed.”

Morales then offered to get them help when they arrived at the Mall of America Transit Station. As we arrived, Morales handed Paul off to another officer, a member of the agency’s Homeless Action Team, which connects the unhoused with social workers.

“He’s still entitled to his due process, and this is an ongoing investigation. So to be fair and impartial, I would have to refrain from making comment,” said Morales, who at the time of his statement had already fired Hutchinson two weeks earlier. News of Hutchinson’s firing was reported on April 6, a day after Hutchinson waived his right to challenge the termination.

Another issue is what role the Metro Transit Police will have in implementing the court-enforced agreement between the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the Department of Justice, and the city of Minneapolis. “Metro Transit me. I blend into different areas and ask questions and can be incognito.”

When it comes to tackling the different health issues in various Minneapolis communities, Chaplin is looking to establish lines of communication and learn as much as he will inform. “Communication goes both ways,” he stated. “It goes one way

“We’re all going different places,” said Paul, who did not provide a last name. “Most of us are going [to] different places and don’t have another form of transportation. And there’s an unwritten rule that we all end up in the same car.” They all ended up doing drugs to cope with trauma. One person said they moved here from Milwaukee to get help.

They ended up on the train because they had spent time at local encampments, which have been repeatedly subject to sweeps. “When you push those people out of the camp, they don’t want to be in shelters [because] shelters break up couples, they have curfews, and you have to be sober,” in our ability to reach out and educate the community, but also our ability to listen and be active listeners in that process.”

During his time in New Bedford, Chaplin was a member of reform. He hopes to continue this bridge-building with different cultural leaders in Minneapolis.

Nearby, three people stood around with clear plastic bags of winter clothing, while other officers with the Homeless Action Team spoke with riders on the train who appeared unhoused, asking if they needed any help.

Even though the agency is still short of more than 60 full-time police officers, Morales thinks that his existing complement of officers can hold down the fort. “I wouldn’t say that we have a need for more police. I would say that we have a need for more balance and presence within our communities,” said Morales.

H. Jiahong Pan welcomes reader comments at hpan@spokesmanrecorder.com.

One area that Chaplin hopes to work with local leaders is in combatting the opioid crisis.

Before coming to Minnesota, Chaplin co-chaired the New Bedford Opioid Task Force and served on the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council. He worked to reduce opioid use in marginalized communities and hopes to find ways to replicate that approach here.

“There isn’t really a one-sizefits-all approach,” he explained. “You really do have to get a chance to understand the community that’s most impacted and devise a plan that is tailored toward their needs.” in these communities. the Massachusetts Health Equity Compact where over 30 Black and Latino community leaders came together to advocate for health equity and healthcare

As he continues to engage more community members in Minneapolis, Chaplin hopes to learn more about what can be done in the public health sector to improve the lives of the city’s residents. “The best that I can do to become the greatest and the best service provider in the area. That’s what we’re gearing our staff up for and that’s what I’m hoping to be able to share with the community,” he said.

As he settles into the role, Chaplin hopes to one day find the time to catch some professional basketball or football games. As a fan of all Boston teams, Chaplin states he has an appreciation for the Timberwolves and the Twins but can never forgo his hometown teams.

An area that Chaplin is already looking into is how to allocate opioid settlement dollars within the community to best reverse the impact of substance abuse

Abdi Mohamed welcomes reader comments at amohamed@ spokesman-recorder.com.