PIP--PRIDE IN PROVO

The PIP program was the "brain child" of my opponent, Midge Johnson. It was a worthy project. Many neighbors gave valuable service. Much good work was done in the Provost and Carterville Neighborhoods. But the program had some fundamental flaws.

1. It was redundant. The Neighborhood Housing Service (NHS) was already doing this work. (The "Paint Your Heart Out" program has had great success in several neighborhoods for many years.) The Timpanogos Community Network (TCN) already brings together neighborhood, church, business, and student groups to accomplish large-scale service projects anytime they are asked. Provo's Neighborhood Program has "matching grant" money available every year for such projects. PIP re-invented the wheel.

2. It was not the best use of tax dollars. After the 2005 project, a woman came to the Council to thank them. She stated," We could have afforded a new roof, but thanks to Provo City, we got one for free!" Is that really the best use of tax dollars?

3. It had no legal occupancy requirements. Several of the homes that were refurbished have illegal basement apartments. In a neighborhood that is zoned for single-family residences ONLY, it is NOT appropriate to be painting and repairing homes that are violating the law.

4. It was not necessary. Midge even called the project "a face-lift for the neighborhood." Last time I checked, face-lifts were considered elective surgery.

5. It was ineffective.. The projects DID make the neighborhood look better, but studies have shown that the only factor which really affects the health and stability of a neighborhood is home-ownership. Only programs which genuinely increase home-ownership have any lasting value. No follow-up was ever done to see if owner-occuoancy was increased by PIP.

6. It took money from the programs proven to increase home-ownership.

7. PIP was too big. PIP did not survive. The Council voted to cease funding it, when it became clear to everyone, including Midge, that the program had to have staff to administer it.

What needs to occur is that the existing programs that are available to the 5 Central Neighborhoods (the CNRCC)-- the rehab loans, the down-payment loans, the service projects, the historical restoration grants, etc., need to be expanded to include several other neighborhoods -- Foothills (east of 900 E. and north of Center St.), Provost (east of 900 E. and south of Center St.) and North Park (west of 500 W. and north of 500 N.) I intend to take care of that.