Mayor Horhn tackles water woes, Siemens fallout, bad landlords in Jackson news conference – The Clarion-Ledger

Report on Urban Challenges and Sustainable Development Initiatives in Jackson

A recent press conference by Jackson Mayor John Horhn outlined the administration’s strategic approach to critical urban issues, including water infrastructure, housing, and public safety. The initiatives presented demonstrate a significant alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning clean water, sustainable communities, poverty reduction, and strong institutions.

Water Infrastructure: A Focus on SDG 6 and SDG 11

The city’s water system remains a primary concern, with current efforts focused on financial sustainability, infrastructure integrity, and equitable access, directly addressing SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Financial Sustainability and Rate Increases

The administration is actively working to balance the financial viability of the water system with the economic welfare of its residents, a key component of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Mayor Horhn has formally expressed opposition to a proposed water rate hike, citing the existing financial burden on citizens from a $40 flat water availability fee.
• The proposed increase would raise the average monthly bill by approximately 12%, from $76 to $85.
• This position is in response to warnings from JXN Water, the utility managing the system, that it is operating at a deficit and requires additional revenue to ensure continuous service, a core tenet of SDG 6.

Infrastructure Funding and Governance

Securing long-term funding and ensuring transparent governance are critical for achieving a resilient water system as outlined in SDG 11 and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

1. JXN Water has exhausted the $150 million in federal funds allocated for operations and maintenance.
2. A request has been submitted to the EPA and U.S. Congress to reallocate a portion of the $450 million earmarked for capital improvements to cover the operational shortfall. This flexibility is crucial for the day-to-day delivery of clean water (SDG 6).
3. A federal judge is currently investigating the city’s expenditure of a $59.8 million settlement from Siemens to ensure accountability before approving any rate changes, reinforcing the principles of SDG 16.

Urban Housing Crisis and Community Welfare: Targeting SDG 11 and SDG 16

The administration is implementing measures to address housing instability and landlord negligence, directly contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by working to ensure access to safe and affordable housing.

Emergency Response at Blossom Apartments

The immediate crisis at Blossom Apartments, where water service was disconnected due to owner negligence, has prompted an emergency response focused on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

• The city is providing daily deliveries of drinking water to the approximately 20 remaining tenants.
• A fire department truck supplies non-potable water for sanitation purposes, mitigating immediate health risks.
• Relocation assistance is being coordinated with community partners like Stewpot and local housing authorities to find alternative, safe housing for displaced residents, upholding the goals of SDG 11.

Strengthening Accountability and Institutional Frameworks

To prevent future crises, the city is developing a long-term strategy to enforce housing standards and hold property owners accountable, which is fundamental to building SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

1. An Apartment Task Force has been established to monitor properties, enforce codes, and respond to tenant complaints.
2. The administration plans to publicly release a list of the 15 apartment owners with the largest delinquent water bills to promote transparency and accountability.
3. Mayor Horhn is seeking expanded legislative authority to impose civil or criminal penalties on non-compliant landlords, including the potential for city takeover of neglected properties to protect residents and ensure the provision of essential services like water.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

2. Specific Targets Identified

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
    
    The article extensively discusses Jackson’s water crisis, focusing on the affordability and accessibility of water. Mayor Horhn opposes a proposed water rate hike, highlighting the burden of the existing “$40 water availability charge” on residents. The crisis at Blossom Apartments, where water service was “cut off,” leaving tenants without water, directly relates to the lack of universal and equitable access.
  • Target 6.a: By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes…
    
    While the context is national, the principle of support and capacity-building is central. The article mentions a “$600 million federal rescue package” and the involvement of the EPA and Congress in controlling how funds are used for Jackson’s water system. This demonstrates a higher-level government intervention to support a local municipality in managing its water infrastructure, including funding for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
    
    The situation at Blossom Apartments exemplifies this target. The complex is described as having “chronic neglect,” and tenants are left without a basic service (water). The city is providing temporary assistance, including “bottled water,” “nonpotable water for folks to flush toilets,” and relocation assistance, which underscores the failure to provide adequate and safe housing with basic services.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
    
    The mayor’s actions aim to build more accountable and effective local governance. He plans to “release a list of the 15 apartment owners who owe the most in unpaid water bills” to increase transparency and accountability. Furthermore, he is seeking legislative changes to give the city “more authority to intervene when apartment complexes are out of compliance,” including imposing “civil or criminal penalties” on non-compliant landlords. The creation of the “Apartment Task Force” is another institutional mechanism to address these issues.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  • Indicators for Target 6.1 (Affordability and Access):
    • The proposed increase in the average water bill from “$76 to $85 per month.”
    • The existing flat “$40 water availability charge.”
    • The number of households with disconnected water service, as exemplified by the tenants at Blossom Apartments whose service was “cut off.”
  • Indicators for Target 6.a (Financial Support):
    • The total amount of the federal rescue package: “$600 million.”
    • The allocation of funds: “$150 million” for operations and “$450 million” for capital improvements.
    • The amount of the Siemens settlement investigated by the judge: “$59.8 million.”

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Indicators for Target 11.1 (Access to Basic Services):
    • The number of tenants living without water service: “about 20 tenants at the Blossom Apartments.”
    • The amount of debt leading to service disconnection: The property owners were “more than $400,000 behind on their bill.”
    • The number of tenants requiring housing assistance: “Twelve of the tenants have Region 6 Housing Authority vouchers,” and others have been offered hotel stays.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Indicators for Target 16.6 (Accountability and Transparency):
    • The number of delinquent landlords to be publicly identified: a “list of the 15 apartment owners who owe the most.”
    • The establishment of new institutional bodies, such as the “Apartment Task Force.”
    • Proposed legislative changes to grant the city authority to impose “civil or criminal penalties” or “takeover of a city that’s not in compliance.”

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: clarionledger.com