marcc - the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati

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MARCC’s Priority Concerns for 2010

The MARCC Priority focus in 2010 is on two concerns: 1) Employment/Job Creation & Training and 2) Homelessness/Affordable Housing.  Here are some examples of how judicatory resources have been invested strategically in our interfaith coalition to improve civic discourse and affect public policy in employment and housing.

EMPLOYMENT/JOB CREATION & TRAINING

  • MARCC helped shape the Cincinnati Public Schools Community Benefits Agreement that outlines a series of steps contractors need to follow to increase local hiring. The expected result is to increase minorities hired locally in the construction workforce for CPS schools.
  • MARCC served on the Policy Committee of the Greater Cincinnati Workforce Network and proposed changes in both state and local polices that will remove barriers to employment for persons with past criminal records.
  • MARCC advocated for an inclusion policy while serving on the Hamilton County City of Cincinnati Employee Readiness Committee to help develop a career pathway in construction for minorities.
  • MARCC strengthened the regional “Agenda 360 Plan” by advocating successfully for the inclusion of additional minority groups in its business development program.

 HOMELESSNESS/AFFORDABLE HOUSING

  • MARCC helped the tenants of the Metropole Apartments in their request to receive a fair downtown relocation settlement by giving testimony to City Council, convening meetings between opposing parties, and submitting a request to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for a fair relocation plan that reflected economic and racial diversity.
  • MARCC monitored and advocated for a fair and transparent Minimum Standards Review Process for Emergency Shelters as recommended in the city’s Homeless to Homes Plan.
  • MARCC submitted a formal request to Housing & Urban Development to place the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority into HUD Receivership to correct CMHA Board policies that act as barriers to fair housing for current and potential tenants.
  • MARCC advocated for additional affordable rental units, permanent supportive housing and transitional housing to decrease the number of individuals who are homeless.