Real Plans. Real People. Real Progress.
1201 East Fayette Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
315.472.3820
Syracuse, NY 13210
315.472.3820
Copyright © Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc.
Real Plans. Real People. Real Progress.
Real Plans. Real People. Real Progress.
Perform a "Neighborhood NWA Assessment" to
determine:
NOW - The character and condition of the neighborhood now. Is it safe? What type of housing currently exists? What resources are nearby? What are the employment opportunities, etc?
WHY - Why has the neighborhood declined? Can the causes be remedied or are the problems permanent?
AFTER - What will the neighborhood offer residents after revitalization in the way of safety, employment, transportation, growth and a sense of community?
NOW - The character and condition of the neighborhood now. Is it safe? What type of housing currently exists? What resources are nearby? What are the employment opportunities, etc?
WHY - Why has the neighborhood declined? Can the causes be remedied or are the problems permanent?
AFTER - What will the neighborhood offer residents after revitalization in the way of safety, employment, transportation, growth and a sense of community?
Comprehensive Approach to Neighborhoods
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Neighborhood Involvement
It is vital that the neighborhood itself be involved in both the
planning and the ongoing implementation of a revitalization project. Interact
with neighbors, existing neighborhood organizations, religious organizations,
and local businesses.
Allow the neighborhood to become involved as soon as revitalization begins, taking pride in the progress, and creating a self-sustaining process.
Allow the neighborhood to become involved as soon as revitalization begins, taking pride in the progress, and creating a self-sustaining process.
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Mixture of Rental and Home
Ownership
Ownership
Evaluate the neighborhood to determine what mix of rental properties
and home ownership will best serve the revitalization efforts.
Residents are an essential element to the revitalization of
neighbrohoods. Start residents in quality, affordable rental apartments. Build
on acceptance of personal responsibilities. Encourage neighborhood networking
and participation. Help residents form Resident organizations and provide
leadership training to each organization. Provide training, leading to home
ownership.
Resident Participation
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Prior to accepting tenants use a thorough selection process. This
includes compliance with various Federal and State funding source income
limitations, checking personal and professional references, prior housing
history, criminal and credit history, and very importantly, conducting a
pre-scheduled interview in the applicant's current home environment.
This process results in involved, active residents who take pride in their community and are committed to its' growth and ongoing renewal.
This process results in involved, active residents who take pride in their community and are committed to its' growth and ongoing renewal.
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Critical Mass
Rehabilitate and/or build a sufficient number of buildings in close
proximity to each other, in "critical mass", to achieve long-lasting benefits
and results. This block-by-block approach promotes community pride and ownership
and a feeling of unity amongst neighbors working together for the common
good.
Resident Selection Criteria
Housing Visions recognizes the value of the past in paving the way
for the future. Many existing buildings have very distinctive features or
historical value, but have fallen into disrepair.
In revitalizing and preserving neighborhoods, it is far more effective to rehabilitate these existing buildings than to lose, by demolition and new construction, the rich architectural heritage and distinctive character that they possess. Once restored, these buildings retain the aesthetic integrity of the neighborhood, while providing affordable housing.
In revitalizing and preserving neighborhoods, it is far more effective to rehabilitate these existing buildings than to lose, by demolition and new construction, the rich architectural heritage and distinctive character that they possess. Once restored, these buildings retain the aesthetic integrity of the neighborhood, while providing affordable housing.
Use of Existing Buildings to
the Extent Possible
the Extent Possible
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Evaluate every targeted neighborhood to determine whether
rehabilitation of existing buildings or new construction is most appropriate.
Make every effort to retain the design and architectural integrity of the
neighborhood. Avoid both a "cookie cutter" approach, and any design that might
be physically identified as low-income housing. Build pride in the living
condition. Design and build both rehabilitation and new construction for the
long term using durable materials and high quality construction.
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Emphasis on Private Capital
Revitalizing and preserving neighborhoods for the long term requires
extensive amounts of capital. Partner with Federal, State and local governments,
as well as private organizations to tap into a variety of funding sources. Focus
on private funding sources. Equity using the Federal Low Income Housing Tax
Credit (LIHTC) provides significant leveraging for supplemental long-term
funding from other programs.
Quality Construction
Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
To achieve the objective of making quality, affordable housing available to low to moderate-income families and to successfully revitalize a community, several basic elements are considered to determine the viability of a new project before it is undertaken. Housing Visions’ Neighborhood Revitalization Plan includes Nine Elements:
To achieve the objective of making quality, affordable housing available to low to moderate-income families and to successfully revitalize a community, several basic elements are considered to determine the viability of a new project before it is undertaken. Housing Visions’ Neighborhood Revitalization Plan includes Nine Elements: