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<br /> . One of the task force's significant findings is that the causes of urban decay are complex and no <br /> quick-fix solutions exist. Accordingly, the recommendations from this task force provide a basis <br /> of on-going attention to address this complex issue. The task force realizes that the mere <br /> production of a report will not solve the problem of urban decay, Rather, mechanisms must be <br /> put in place to continually evaluate progress of the solution process and to recommend changes in <br /> strategy or emphasis, Likewise, it is recognized that a significant part of this effort must be to <br /> educate policy makers and managers in order to better equip them with the tools necessary to <br /> accomplish this important effort, Finally, the effort must be collaborative. Federal, state, regional <br /> and local officials must work closely and cooperatively to address urban issues. <br /> The committee would like to emphasize two findings from the Citizens League's report on <br /> housing in the Metropolitan area. If these principles are ignored, any solutions policy makers craft <br /> are doomed to fail. <br /> 1. Past experience suggests that inner-city residents who do choose to relocate when <br /> housing opponunities are made available infarther-out suburbs are likely to be those <br /> who are' best off of the current poor residents of the central cities and older suburbs. A <br /> policy that focuses only on increasing the supply of low-cost suburban housing could <br /> reinforce the same pattern of suburbanization of the better-off that has led to our present <br /> housing landscape, The difference would be that the central cities and older suburbs <br /> could even be worse off because it would be the poorest and most disadvantaged <br /> citizens who would be left in the core, <br /> . 2. Housing has deeply symbolic meanings that have to do with family, identity, security, <br /> values, personal progress and social success. Policies that ignore these meanings are <br /> likely to be met with indifference. Policies that challenge these meanings are likely to be <br /> met with opposition, Policy makers must be sensitive to citizens' views. <br /> The Task Force now presents a draft of its principles, fmdings and recommendations for review <br /> and comment by AMM members, The task force will review the comments from the membership <br /> before a final report is submitted to the AMM Board of Directors. <br /> ISSUE IDENTIFICATION <br /> T he task force has identified that a concentration of low income residents living in <br /> deteriorating housing in central city and suburban neighborhoods with increasing <br /> or high crime rates and decreasing public and private investment is a significant problem <br /> in the Metropolitan area. <br /> . ItiJ Urban Strategies Task Force Report 2 <br />