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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:
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?
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.
Comprehensive Approach to Neighborhoods
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Neighborhood Involvement
Evaluate the
neighborhood to determine what mix of rental properties and home ownership will
best serve the revitalization efforts.
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Mixture of
Rental and Home Ownership
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.
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.
Resident
Participation
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Resident
Selection Criteria
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.
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Critical
Mass
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.
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.
Use of
Existing Buildings to the Extent Possible
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Quality
Construction
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.
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Emphasis on
Private Capital