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U. S. Rep. Castor Holds Discussion On Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and mean- ingful involvement of all peo- ple, communities and neighborhoods, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementa- tion, and enforcement of en- vironmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Grounded in the struggles of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, environmental justice sounded the alarm about the public health dan- gers for their families, their communities and themselves.
“Every five years, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takes com- ments from communities across the country and I want to make sure that they hear from Tampa Bay,” U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor said about kicking off a series of round- table discussions this week with community leaders on environmental justice.
“Environmental Justice ensures all communities fam- ilies and individuals enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards. We have an
opportunity to assist in devel- oping forward-thinking poli- cies that recognize how environmental protection, health and economic devel- opment interact, especially among our under-resourced communities.”
U. S. Rep. Castor held these community discussions to gather input as the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency updates its programs, policies and activities related to advancing environmental justice in Tampa Bay and throughout the country. This past Tuesday there was a dis-
cussion in her Tampa office. Hillsborough County has the largest number of Brown- field sites at 51, according to the Hillsborough County EPC. Locations of Tampa Family Health Centers have opened under the Brownfield redevelopment program, in- cluding a site in East Tampa that became a national model. The Encore develop- ment is another Brownfield
success story.
“While Republicans in
Congress have historically aimed at slashing funding support for the EPA, Tampa
Bay has benefitted greatly from its grants and programs, and stands to benefit even more with comprehensive policies that advance envi- ronmental justice,” U. S. Rep. Castor said.
The EPA recently released a framework for its next over- arching strategic plan, Envi- ronmental Justice 2020 Action Agenda, and is seeking input from stakeholders through June 15. U. S. Rep. Castor is working with the EPA to gather comprehensive feedback on behalf of Tampa Bay.
Relocations Plans Underway For Two Housing Projects
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
In coming months, resi- dents of two housing projects operating under the auspice of the Tampa Housing Au- thority will move out. Earlier this month the U. S. Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Development approved the relocation process.
Their current homes have met the same fate as College Hill, Central Park, Rem- brandt, Riverview Terrace,
and Ponce De Leon public housing complexes.
In preparation for the re- location, the Tampa Housing Authority is meeting with the residents in both North Boulevard Homes and the Bethune-High Rise Senior Citizen complex.
The three largest com- plexes are North Boulevard Homes, which was built in 1940, Robles Park, which was built in 1953, and Bethune High Rise, which came into existence in 1966.
lion commercial and residen- tial development known as West River Development.
Jerome Ryans, Presi- dent and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority said, “We have been meeting with the residents for the last 2 years. We will have staff at the old building on Main Street to
make the transition easier. We are having conversations with the residents weekly, and we are very pleased with the way things are going.
“We are going the people choices and it’s better for the younger families. They will have a second opportunity to take a bite of the apple.”
JEROME RYANS President/CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority
There are approximately 2,000 people who will move to other homes. Approxi- mately 156 of those residents are senior citizens currently living in the Bethune High Rise. The process is slated to begin this year.
All of the residents are re- quired to take a course re- ferred to as Relocation 101. In addition, Ms. Lillian Stringer, Public Informa- tion Officer for the Tampa Housing Authority said, “We have been taking the resi- dents out to different areas of town and making them aware of the schools, places to obtain social services, and other information they will need when they move into a new area. Some residents have never been any place else. They have never been out of their comfort zone.”
She further said some of the residents will be relo- cated to one of more than 25 complexes still under control of the Tampa Housing Au- thority. Others elected to ac- cept Section 8 vouchers because they are portable and the residents can live anywhere in the United States with them.
Once the relocation process is complete, the property will be demolished to make way for a $300 mil-
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A