Big developers of small apartments.

Alan Arthur and his small staff of dedicated people are managing 479 small apartments, all of them in or near downtown Minneapolis, and all either built or rehabilitated through their own efforts.  Using low income tax credits, heavyweight funding sources and a lot of good judgement, they are making steadyprogress toward replacing the low cost rental units lost to downtown development. 

Their successful formula involves both neighborhood activists and residents of their buildings in planning and continuing management.

Prospects for the future of this organization seem assured, as the loss of old facilities is continuing and low wage workers are increasing in number.  As the downtown grows, more custodians, parking lot attendants, busboys, maids and messengers are needed.  The average working person living in buildings owned by the Central Community Housing Trust earns just over $10,000 annually.  Their tenants living on Social Security or General Assistance average $3375 annually.

Mr. Arthur sees the problem of serving these people continuing to grow, but is resisting the idea of a quick expansion.  The agency will continue on their present courseg, keeping in touch with the people they are serving, and trying to make each project a long range sucess.