Young residents absent from E. Baltimore discussions
According to the Baltimore City Department of Planning, the median household income in the neighborhood is $27,824. The federal poverty level for a family of three is $17,170, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
"Seventy percent of the buildings are vacant. There is dramatic abandonment," Shea said.
But some residents have seen improvements in the area. The crime rate "has gotten a lot better since I grew up," Smith said.
After the first third of the project, more than 300 households have been relocated.
"It is not in our interest to set people up for failure. We are here to set people up for success," Shea said.
Most at the meeting seemed to agree that money should be spent in the area and that the city should pay attention to the needs of the community, but forcing residents from their homes is not the way to do it.
"We grew up in these homes. We don't want to leave," one resident bemoaned to the crowd.
"All equity wealth is tied up in their house," Shea said.
"Their house is their livelihood. They come to these meetings for their homes."
"Seventy percent of the buildings are vacant. There is dramatic abandonment," Shea said.
But some residents have seen improvements in the area. The crime rate "has gotten a lot better since I grew up," Smith said.
After the first third of the project, more than 300 households have been relocated.
"It is not in our interest to set people up for failure. We are here to set people up for success," Shea said.
Most at the meeting seemed to agree that money should be spent in the area and that the city should pay attention to the needs of the community, but forcing residents from their homes is not the way to do it.
"We grew up in these homes. We don't want to leave," one resident bemoaned to the crowd.
"All equity wealth is tied up in their house," Shea said.
"Their house is their livelihood. They come to these meetings for their homes."
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