Insight News

An IAS, CURA, UROC, and NRRC and UNP collaboration. The University of Minnesota's Institute for Advanced Studies, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, and Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center joins its community partners, the Northside Residents Redevelopment Council and the University Northside Partnership, in inviting you to a conversation about how the current mortgage crisis impacts North Minneapolis, an area which has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the state. The University of Minnesota's Institute for Advanced Studies, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, and Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center joins its community partners, the Northside Residents Redevelopment Council and the University Northside Partnership, in inviting you to a conversation about how the current mortgage crisis impacts North Minneapolis, an area which has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the state. This meeting is an opportunity for interested and concerned faculty, staff, community leaders, organizations and residents, as well as city and county officials, and relevant non-profits to share information about their experiences, knowledge, research and programs related to the mortgage crisis in North Minneapolis.

At the end of the conversation we hope the audience will have a better understanding of how this crisis has had a negative impact on individual residents, property values, and affects the current and future stability and viability of North Minneapolis. We recognize that there have been many forums held on this issue, and do not intend to replicate these discussions. Rather, some anticipated outcomes of this "conversation," which we see as a prelude to formulating an action agenda, are:

• increased understanding of local programs and projects
• greater recognition of how the crisis impacts lives
• awareness of opportunities for community/university collaborations and leveraging of resources to achieve change
• increased knowledge of the history of housing ownership in North Minneapolis
• greater understanding that North Minneapolis is a microcosm of national trends that adversely impact communities of color
• identification of research gaps
• discussion of possible strategies to strengthen and enhance existing policy and social interventions
• increased awareness of legal challenges
• formulation of an action agenda

Please join us for an afternoon of university and community engagement. There will be brief presentations to get the conversation started. If you represent an organization or group working on this topic, we invite you to bring materials and handouts for a resource table.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
2:30-4:00
Institute for Advanced Study
306 Folwell
9 Pleasant Street, SE
Mpls, MN 55455 (http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/maps/FolH/)
(612) 626-5149