Sullivan: NAACP Will Not Endorse Vision 20/20

NAACP concerned that Vision 20/20 will leave "needy people homeless"

In a shocking development in the public debate over an August 2012 concept plan for redevelopment of the HHA called "Vision 20/20",  a local civil rights leader has taken a stance against it.

Eugene Drayton, president of the local chapter of the NAACP tells Al Sullivan he is NOT endorsing Vision 20/20 out of unresolved concerns the redevelopment will leave existing residents homeless.  

Of course, the project's supporters will answer, "Vision 20/20 replaces the existing 806 dwelling units  with well over 1,000 dwelling units."

Ah, but the Devil is in the details.

It is not clear how many of those new units have to go to affordable housing, by law.  It may be as low as 10% or 20%.  Is there anything about that in the developer agreement?  Has anyone seen the developer agreement?  The unspoken selling point by HHA Executive Director Carmelo Garcia in his pleas for approval is that ALL HHA residents will be the beneficiary of this redevelopment.  Is it true?  Others, and now NAACP Chapter President Eugene Drayton have questions on that point.

How many of those new units will go to market-rate housing?  

Where is the guaranty that no HHA resident will be left homeless?

GA believes that is at the root of Mr. Drayton's concerns, and is valid.

Vision 20/20 may be a great idea, but it's implementation: strong-arming, bullying, name-calling, accusations of "KKK" and "racism" at anyone who asks a question, it's attacks on bloggers who ask questions... the thuggery.... leaves a huge stink in the air which has spread far beyond the blogosphere into the mainstream. And our concerns are now validated by the leader of our local NAACP.  Drayton too has been shut out of the planning process, so much so that he has no idea whether the proposal is a genuine effort to replace dwellings of existing residents, or a  for-profit  scheme to displace needy residents for lucrative market-rate housing.

When a Reformer asks that same question, we are called "racists", "classists", and all manner of lies are spread about us.

Will Drayton be treated the same way?