President Clinton's first National Urban Policy Report presents an approach to the problems and opportunities in our cities dramatically different from that taken by any previous Administration. Building upon a fundamental understanding that "cities and their suburbs tend to rise--or fall--together," Empowerment: A New Covenant With America's Communities presents a compelling national vision for connecting poor families living in distressed communities to the opportunities that exist in the larger metropolitan region.
The President's National Urban Policy is based upon a clear recognition of the barriers that stand in the way of work and self-sufficiency for many poor Americans. It also recognizes that real solutions to the problems facing our Nation's cities are built from the bottom up, through private sector investment and community partnerships. The Administration's policy is founded on four operating principles:
First, it links families to work by bringing together tax, welfare, education, job training, transportation, and housing initiatives that help families make the transition to self-sufficiency and independence.
Second, it leverages private investment by working with the market and private businesses to build upon the natural assets and competitive advantages of urban communities.
Third, it is locally driven, emphasizing solutions that are locally crafted and implemented by entrepreneurial public entities, private actors, and the growing network of community-based organizations.
Finally, it demands a rebirth in traditional values such as hard work, family, and responsibility and acknowledges that the problems of inner-city neighborhoods are not subject to government solutions alone.
The National Urban Policy Report also offers a blueprint for implementing these principles through economic policies that promote sustainable growth, as well as through strategic investments that help poor people and distressed communities share in the fruits of an expanding national economy.
Empowerment: A New Covenant With America's Communities is now available from HUD USER for $4. Please contact HUD USER to obtain copies.
