Using Eminent Domain to Prevent Foreclosures in Richmond

“Using Eminent Domain to Prevent Foreclosures in Richmond”

Mike Parker will give an overview of the innovative program, “Richmond CARES”, which was proposed by Richmond’s Green Mayor Gayle McLaughlin to use the City’s power of eminent domain to benefit underwater homeowners.

Mike Parker is an organizer with Richmond Progressive Alliance. He is the editor of RPA’s website and newsletter. RPA works with the Mayor and Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) in the program to stop blight, keep neighborhoods stable, stop foreclosures, and increase community wealth.

Topics to be discussed include:

- What is Richmond CARES?
– Who will Richmond CARES help?
– Will the City be buying homes?
– How does this actually work?
– Can the homeowner “flip” the home?
– How will this affect home values in the community?


Is this a legal use of eminent domain?

Numerous top legal scholars and law firms confirm that it is legal, yes. The public purpose of reducing foreclosure and blight is clear, and eminent domain has in fact been used in many cases to acquire “intangible” property including financial instruments.

Who is most opposed to Richmond CARES and why?
Essentially the battle is between the interests of real estate speculators, and the interest of Richmond residents who want to keep their neighborhoods stable, keep people in their own homes instead of forcing them to rent, and stop the spread of blight.


For further reading:
http://www.richmondprogressivealliance.net


Sunday October 13th, 2013
5:00 to 6:30 pm
Niebyl-Proctor Library
6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland

DIRECTIONS: One block north of Alcatraz on the West side of Telegraph, wheelchair accessible. Buses pass by regularly. Ashby BART is approximately 7 blocks away.

SPONSOR: Green Sundays are a series of free programs and discussions sponsored by the Green Party of Alameda County. They are held on the 2nd Sunday of each month.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Richmond CARES
http://www.richmondcares.com

Save Richmond Homes
http://www.saverichmondhomes.org

Richmond ACCE (Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment)
http://calorganize.org E-mail contracosta@... or call 415-377-9037

LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-hiltzik-20130901,0,1360275.column
The Atlantic Cities
http://m.theatlanticcities.com/housing/2013/09/why-wall-street-very-very-angry-richmond-california-today/6858
Mother Jones
http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/09/richmond-eminent-domain-wall-street-nightmare
USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/09/29/richmond-eminent-domain-foreclosures/2834299/
KQED Forum
http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201308080900
PBS Newshour discussed on Daily Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/20/1240246/-PBS-Newshour-Richmond-CA-Government-Uses-Eminent-Domain-to-Solve-Its-Foreclosure-Crisis#

*** Compare with: Use of Eminent Domain to grab land for the Keystone XL pipieline
http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/2012/09/28/eminent-domain-casts-its-long-shadow-over-the-texas-legislature ***