Warren gets a tool to help save and develop its housing stock

The word unsustainable gets A lot of use these days, most often in reference to governmental profligacy that is perceived as detrimental to the nation’s very existence.

So it is nice to hear people in Warren talking about a sustainable community. And we’re happy to see that the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership received one of the 27 Sustainable Communities Grants awarded for 2011 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. And, yes, we’re aware that such grants as these are seen by some people as the kind of overspending out of Washington that will undo us all.

But just as the adage that in business you have to spend money to make money is valid, it is true that sometimes you have to spend a little money today to save a lot in the future.

HUD says the purpose of Sustainable Communities grants is to help communities and regions improve their economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation.

Tapping the potential

In announcing the grants, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, said: “When more than half of the average working family’s income is devoted to housing and transportation costs alone, we know that we have a responsibility to fix that and to provide housing and transportation options that can improve their quality of life and economic stability.”

In Warren’s case, Mayor Michael O’Brien said the grant will allow the city to “help locate the best parcels for investment in order to return land to neighborhoods in ways that are accessible, sustainable and healthy” for the community.

Matt Martin, director of the one-year-old Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, said he believes Warren received the grant because of the large list of neighborhood groups working to improve the city’s neighborhoods.

Like any city facing the economic challenges of today, Warren has seen some neighborhood deterioration. But it also has a inventory of good housing stock in stable neighborhoods, and it is important for the city, community groups like the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership and individual residents to work to protect what they have. And to look for ways of redeveloping and improving where they can.

A proverb puts it succinctly: A stitch in time saves nine. This $356,964 grant, combined with local investment and sweat equity, could return dividends many times over.

The federal grant will allow Warren neighbors to work toward their potential of building a better — a more sustainable — city.