A catalyst for change La Casa de Don Pedro takes a comprehensive - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A catalyst for change La Casa de Don Pedro takes a comprehensive approach to community engagement and neighborhood revitalization. Our short term initiatives and long term strategies are driven by comprehensive community planning and community organizing. These efforts fall within the Community & Economic Development division with the overarching goal to improve the community’s social, economic and physical infrastructure. In response to a need for comprehensive commercial revitalization and affordable housing, La Casa created Don Pedro Development Corporation (DPDC), a separate, 501(c)3, to serve as the development arm of the organization. DPDC is charged with promoting the planning and implementation of housing and economic initiatives within a context of community building. Through DPDC, La Casa advances the physical revitalization of the community through planning, development and rehabilitation efforts, and supports the continued growth of the agency through the development of the community and program facilities. Since 1988, La Casa has invested more than $23 million into the Newark Community. Our projects include community centers, educational facilities, early childhood centers, open space, and over 100 new and rehabilitated affordable housing units. La Casa’s Community & Economic Development’s primary target neighborhood: Lower current projects total more than $18 million and include Broadway, with target properties highlighted. Neighborhood Stabilization Program I & II efforts, a state of the art community center, and commercial storefront. These projects will positively impact our communities by increasing the amount of affordable housing available, stabilizing the foreclosure crisis, and providing access to valuable goods and services that will improve the quality of life for the families we serve.

A Comprehensive, Grassroots Approach Community Planning  Community driven Lower Broadway Community Plan (3 rd update in progress)  Comprehensive plan guides La Casa’s initiatives Community Organizing  Engages the community to advocate for their needs  Builds social infrastructure

A Comprehensive, Grassroots Approach Community Planning  In the past decade, La Casa completed two comprehensive community plans for Lower Broadway, a blueprint for the community’s physical and social development  Recipient of Wachovia Regional Foundation Comprehensive Community Implementation Grant  LISC is critical supporter through its national Sustainable Communities” initiative, implemented locally by La Casa as “Greater Newark Neighborhoods.” see www.broadwaynewark.com.  A community driven “Quality of Life” planning process commenced in April 2010 with over 200 residents to lay out a needs assessment that will guide future planning and advocacy.

A Comprehensive, Grassroots Approach Community Organizing  La Casa’s team of organizers are dedicated to empowering residents wishing to improve the quality of life of their community  Initiatives include:  Technical assistance to block associations  Advocacy for pedestrian safety  Neighborhood beautification and tree planting projects

Implementation Affordable Housing  120 units complete, 41 in the pipeline  All homeownership, majority 2-family  Both new construction & rehabilitation  Utilizes urban design standards La Casa created and recently embraced by the City’s new guidelines  High energy efficiency standards

Implementation Commercial Revitalization  Over $8M invested in new construction, $10M in the pipeline  Balances community use with commercial opportunity  Collaborations with City of Newark on façade & street improvements Since 2004, all projects have been built by La Casa affiliate LC Homebuilder.

Implementation Open Space Initiatives  Strategy is to create public & private open spaces & enhance access & use  Proposed connective pathway from school campus to Branch Brook park  Collaborations with Project for Public Spaces Alliance to restore southwest section of park  Successful projects include the transformation of 3 unsightly lots into the Ramon Rivera Community Garden & Coretta Scott King Community Playground. Partners include City of Newark, Greater Newark Conservancy, KaBoom!, Wachovia Foundation, & the Home Depot.  Defined school and community recreational space planned for Benjamin Franklin & Barringer Prep campus

Implementation Housing Counseling Foreclosure Prevention & Intervention Homebuyer Education  HUD Certified Unit consists of 2 counselors  HUD-certified first time homebuyer education for La and an assistant Casa’s affordable housing applicants  Bilingual Services include:  Upon completion, families may be eligible for $10k in Crisis budgeting  downpayment assistance from City of Newark Counseling & preparation for foreclosure   Extensive assistance throughout homebuyer process mediation services through State of NJ  Foreclosure Mediation Program La Casa homes are marketed to participants Referrals to attorneys  Education & outreach around mortgage  modification scams  Results:  Caseload of 12-16 families counseled per week Over 45 families received mortgage  modifications as direct result of mediation services. Over 300 families seen since January, 2009 

Implementation Merchant Mobilization  Strategy is to engage with Lower Broadway merchants to connect them with resources and tools to improve the viability of their businesses  Projects include:  Lower Broadway Parking Study  Commercial Corridor Retail Scan  Graffiti Removal  Holiday Window Display Initiative

Active Affordable Housing Projects Lower Broadway Stabilization Project & NSP I and II Removes blight and creates affordable housing for low- • and moderate-income families by addressing foreclosed properties and infill lots. Uses HOME, NSP and HUD subsidies • Total construction of 41 units of affordable housing; • Scattered sites • 5 new 2 family homes (to start this fall) • 6 rehabilitated 2 family homes (in production) • 19 Additional units to be purchased via NSP II • TOTAL PROJECT COST: $8 Million • START DATE: FALL 2010 •

Active Affordable Housing Projects Ivy Hill Senior Community  Seven acre site that will provide senior housing units, an adult medical day care center and a nursing home  460 units of senior housing are planned  DPDC is a partner in the joint venture with for profit interests for the overall development  Ivy Hill Phase I—Senior Community Building B will provide 65 units  Total Development Cost: $15 Million  Current Status: Volunteers of America is re-designated developer  Start date: Winter 2011

Active Commercial Revitalization Projects 39-47 Broadway/Broad Retail & Commercial Center  Three derelict Lower Broadway commercial buildings will be replaced with 20,000 SF program office space and 4,000 SF new retail space  Targets neighborhood retail or service-oriented businesses Before  Renovates 39 Broadway Center by adding additional early childhood classrooms After  Innovative use of Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) and New Market Tax Credit  PROJECT COST: $10.2 Million  START DATE: Spring 2011  COMPLETION DATE: Spring 2012

Affordable Housing Projects Mount Prospect Townhomes Project Cost: $2.7 million Number of Units: 28, homeownership & rental Completion Date: 2004 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Homes Project Cost: $3.8 Million Number of Units: 19, homeownership & rental Completion Date: June 2009

Commercial Revitalization Projects First Street 39 Broadway Early Childhood Center Community Center • Rehab of former industrial commercial building Home of La Casa’s Personal Development Division, into 14,000 SF preschool center La Casa preschool center, and North Jersey Federal • Eight classrooms, 120 preschoolers Credit Union • Houses central commercial kitchen for La Casa PROJECT COST: $2.8 Million PROJECT COST: $3.4 Million COMPLETION DATE: 2001 COMPLETION DATE: 2004

Open Space Projects Ramon Rivera Community Garden Coretta Scott King Community Playground Before Before After After