Catholic archbishop, Lutheran bishop take 'poverty tour'

Published: 2005-02-10

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- A Catholic archbishop and a Lutheran bishop took a "poverty tour" together in January to get a first-hand look at economic issues confronting immigrants, the working poor, the homeless and those with other assistance needs in Minnesota. When it comes to government programs that meet basic human needs, "caps and cuts can be cruel words," said Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of St. Paul-Minneapolis. Angela Hutchinson told Archbishop Flynn and Lutheran Bishop Peter Rogness -- leaders of the state's two largest faith communities -- that she does not mind living in a rental unit for now, but she and her husband would like to buy a house some day and build some equity. "We're looking for a home," she said, but the home prices are "through the roof." Hutchinson, who works with the Girl Scouts, lives in Wabasha Terrace, a co-op property on St. Paul's west side run by the Neighborhood Development Alliance. The alliance, housed at nearby St. Matthew Parish, has created housing opportunities for low-income west side residents for the past 15 years. "Home prices have gone up $30,000 in the past five years," and now average $216,000 in St. Paul, said the alliance's executive director, Karen Reid. People who earn $9 an hour can afford only a house that costs about $87,000, and homes in that price range typically need more repairs than the working poor can afford.

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