The Wisconsin State Journal has been covering the trials of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County as it goes before the city of Madison seeking support for an affordable housing project. In a city with a proven need for more affordable housing, Care Net’s plans are getting no traction because politics is getting in the way. (Updated on January 30th)
At Monday night’s Board of Estimates meeting, the city attorney said Care Net meets the criteria for funding through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Community Development Housing Reserve Fund. But political prejudice against the pro-life, faith based organization stands in the way. The Board of Estimates recommended no action.
WSJ columnist Chris Rickert reviewed Care Net’s case in a column last weekend that showed how the pro-life organization is getting short shrift from Madison’s liberal establishment. He concluded with a glum assessment: “I’m still trying to figure out how ideologically driven, esoteric arguments about the [abortion] procedure have anything to do with housing the poor.”
Earlier this month we posted Care Net’s news release reporting the unanimous approval given the project by the City Plan Commission. It appears that Care Net is still trying to move ahead with the project without the city’s assistance. For the sake of Madison’s housing-needy population, I hope they find a way.
UPDATE: CARE NET provided the following information to MC on January 30, 2013 (edited for length)
Care Net Pregnancy Center Faces Opposition for Affordable Housing But Victory Lies With the Lord
MADISON, Wisconsin – January 29, 2013 — Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County has been experiencing unprecedented media interest due to a proposal to build affordable housing in Madison, Wisconsin, a city indisputably in need of affordable housing. Care Net’s proposal for affordable housing, Eagle Harbor Apartments, has gotten the attention of some who oppose Care Net’s life-affirming mission and has caused quite a stir.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT COMMITTE
After a three hour meeting on January 17, 2013, Care Net was denied Community Development Block Grant funding by a City of Madison committee. Committee members disregarded the recommendation made by city staff to grant Care Net $550,000 toward the development. They also ignored city legal counsel who cautioned against denying funding based on religion or ideology since by law they are required to not discriminate on this basis. “In a memorandum to council members, City Attorney Michael May addressed those concerns, but concluded Care Net met the city’s requirement for an affordable housing loan.” (Wisconsin State Journal, January 29, 2013)
Yet to all appearances, the city CDBG committee denied funding because of Care Net’s life-affirming ideology.
Alder Lisa Subeck centered the debate on abortion and made general accusations regarding pregnancy centers, implying that these allegations are true of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County. In response to this out-of-control meeting, Care Net sent a letter of response to each of the City of Madison Alders and to Mayor Soglin. We also requested that our response be added to the public record for that meeting.
FOCUS ON HOUSING
Eagle Harbor Apartments will provide safe, nurturing affordable workforce housing for families and singles with mixed incomes including Care Net clients and former residents of Care Net’s residential program, The Elizabeth House. Also included will be infant to two?year?old daycare for up to 32 children. This development is an extension of Care Net’s services. There is overwhelming interest from women living in Care Net’s residential program, The Elizabeth House, for safe, secure, supportive nearby workforce and family housing.
Eagle Harbor Apartments will have a solid management plan through Meridian Group. Potential residents will be screened through Meridian Group’s professional and established apartment management systems.
Care Net Pregnancy Center of Dane County’s request for conditional use to construct a mixed?use building with 36 residential units and a daycare facility was unanimously approved by the Madison City Plan Commission on January 14. Due to a neighborhood appeal, the City Council will be reviewing the Plan Commission’s decision on February 26. To overturn the Plan Commission’s decision, two-thirds of the City Council would need to vote to deny conditional use.
We believe God is calling us to extend our services to provide affordable workforce housing for our clients, graduates of The Elizabeth House program and others in the community. We are proceeding to apply for tax credit financing with WHEDA.
More commentary on this issue from critic at large David Blaska