* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
title
October 5, 2009 - United Nations World Habitat Day
FOR the purpose of celebrating World Habitat Day and endorsing the United Nations' mission to encourage the world to reflect on the state of human settlements, the basic right to adequate shelter for all, and our collective responsibility for the future of human habitat; and providing for a special effective date.
body
Recitals
World Habitat Day celebrations began in 1986, but 2009 marks the first global celebration hosted by the United States. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Executive Director of the United Nations Programme for Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT) will co-host a kick-off celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., adopting this year's theme of "Planning is Our Urban Future".
"Planning is Our Urban Future" is a theme meant to raise awareness of the need to improve urban planning to deal with new major challenges of the 21st century so that our cities can manage to reduce the impacts of climate disruption, the economic crisis, and urban poverty around the world. The HUD Secretary stated that the President "has asked that we become engaged in the global discussion on our shared vision of making socially and environmentally sustainable urban communities."
"This is a time of great challenge and great opportunity when it comes to addressing the 21st Century housing and sustainability issues facing the nations of the world. By collaborating with UN-HABITAT, other nations, grassroots practitioners, industry stakeholders, public and private sector partners, and others, we can help steer a new, more inclusive, greener housing approach." With over ½ of the world's population living in urban areas, and the number set to rise to ? in another generation, the urban agenda will of necessity become a priority for governments, local authorities, and all stakeholders.
It is particularly appropriate that the Council endorses the mission of World Habitat Day. Data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that, despite Maryland's ranking as the nation's richest state, nearly 1 in 5 Baltimore residents and 1 in 4 children were living below the poverty line in 2008. Approximately 14% of City residents received food stamps in 2008, up 2% from 2007 and compared to 8.6% nationwide.
Another report by the National Center for Healthy Housing showed a critical need to improve housing conditions in many U.S. cities, ranking the Baltimore metropolitan area 29th in healthy housing of the 45 cities surveyed. The report shows that 44% of homes in the Baltimore area are likely to have at least 1 problem, compared to 36% nationally - leaks threaten to contribute to respiratory problems; older housing stock poses a lead paint threat; and rodents, roaches, and other undesirable co-habitants can lead to asthma.
Given the seriousness of the housing issues we face at home, we empathize with the need for safe, affordable housing across the globe and wholeheartedly embrace the theme of United Nations World Habitat Day.
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body celebrates World Habitat Day and endorses the United Nations' mission to encourage the world to reflect on the state of human settlements, the basic right to adequate shelter for all, and our collective responsibility for the future of human habitat.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore City Delegation to the 111th Congress, the Baltimore City Delegation to the 2010 Maryland General Assembly, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the date it is enacted.
dlr09-0894~intro/30Sep09
ccres/Habitat/nf
dlr09-0894~intro/30Sep09
??2??
ccres/Habitat/nf