Hundreds of men and women from successful Neighborhood Networks centers across the nation - and hundreds more who want to make their Neighborhood Networks center MORE successful - will attend the upcoming Neighborhood Networks 2002 National Conference, "Accessing Success," from June 26th to June 28th.

Today, more than 1,000 Neighborhood Networks centers throughout America, in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are helping low-income families and individuals become successful: residents have secured jobs, increased their income, gone to college, moved from welfare to work and bought homes after completing training at Neighborhood Networks centers. HUD's Office of Multifamily Housing Programs is sponsoring the conference to celebrate their success and help others reach their goals next week Miami, Florida (learn more about registration).

Through innovative public-private partnerships, Neighborhood Networks establishes community learning centers that improve computer access, advance literacy and create employment opportunities for adults, children and seniors living in HUD insured and assisted housing. Created by HUD in 1995, Neighborhood Networks was one of the first federal programs to promote self-sufficiency and help provide computer access to low- and moderate-income communities.

Conference workshops will feature topics on effective and efficient use of resources, cutting-edge technology, social programs that engage residents, business strategies for center operations, and leadership development. Exhibitors will be on hand for attendees to learn about the variety of resources available to community learning centers. This conference is an opportunity for center directors and staff, property owners and managers, HUD Neighborhood Networks coordinators, residents, and partners to share information and learn:

• Innovative strategies for self-sufficiency.
• How technology can transform your community.
• Essential management skills.
• How to design unique center programs for long-term sustainability.
• Proven techniques for resource development.

Leading experts in technology and community development will deliver keynote addresses. Invited speakers include David Eisner, vice president, AOL Time Warner Foundation; Jeremy White, Associate Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Task Force; Dr. Frederick Humphries, president and CEO of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education; Branka Minic, director of professional services, Manpower, Inc.; and Bill Edwards, executive director of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity.

The conference will provide participants an opportunity to meet HUD representatives, Neighborhood Networks center directors and staff, and property owners and managers, as well as current and potential partners and volunteers working to help residents access success.

For conference updates, agenda, travel and hotel information and on-line registration, please visit the Neighborhood Networks web site.

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On Monday, June 17, 2002, HUD's Atlanta office helped welcome President Bush and Secretary Martinez to the city for a National Homeownership Month celebration. The President outlined new initiatives to increase homeownership, especially among minority groups, as part of this special visit to one of Atlanta's historic, in-town neighborhoods, the Pryor Road Corridor.

The President's message was more good news for this once thriving neighborhood. The original home to some of the City's historic institutions such as Clark College, now Clark Atlanta University, it was anchored by the 105-acre, 990-unit Carver Homes Public Housing Development. Built in 1953, the neighborhood's layout and design created an environment that discouraged any sense of community among residents. The neighborhood began to deteriorate more than two decades ago, and crime and drugs were a serious problem. Compounding the problems were two other dilapidated, crime ridden multifamily properties, Highpoint Estates on 32 acres and Lakewood Village on a 38-acre tract.

As part of a comprehensive plan to revitalize the community, all three properties were demolished to make way for three planned communities including the new 718-unit Villages at Carver, a mixed income community that will include a homeownership component in Phase V. When completed, the former Heritage Village property will be Highpoint Estates and include 108 single-family homes and 94 units of senior housing. The former Lakewood Village property is now under development as a planned community, Park Place South, that includes 534 units of owner-occupied housing including condominiums, fee simple town homes, single family units and 100 units of senior housing with a community center. Each development is growing well, with excellent sales and rentals, and will benefit from three public schools being renovated in the area. The developments will have important amenities including 25 acres of greenspace, a new YMCA, gymnasium and other public improvements that are now underway, and additional planned commercial/residential projects.

Pryor Road is located in the City's Empowerment Zone, and approximately $12.4 million in Empowerment Zoning has been committed to the area. The new development along the Pryor Road Corridor utilizes a variety of public and private funds, including HUD's HOPE VI, CDBG, HOME, FHA Mortgage Insurance, and Housing Counseling programs. The successful developments are supported by a long list of conscientious partners including the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, Atlanta Housing Authority, Fannie Mae, Atlanta Development Authority, Atlanta Public Schools, Nonprofit Organizations, State of Georgia, and Housing Industry Partners. The total cost of current developments is approximately $344 million.

In addition to the President and the Secretary, other key participants included Deputy Secretary Jackson, Regional Director Jim Chaplin, Deputy Regional Director Sharron Kelly, Assistant Secretary Bernardi, Assistant Secretary Liu, FHA Commissioner Weicher, and Assistant Secretary Rosenfeld. As part of the visit, the President, Secretary and HUD officials greeted construction workers and new homeowners, toured homes, and presented welcome mats and Whitehouse lapel pins to the new homeowners, and recognized hard-working Habitat volunteers.

The first homeowner in Highpoint Estates led the Pledge of Allegiance, St. Paul's AME Pastor gave the invocation, and the St. Paul AME Choir sang several moving songs - including a moving rendition of God Bless America that resulted in a standing ovation. The Atlanta HUD office is proud that more than 75 of their staff joined in with residents, senior HUD officials and President Bush for this special event - a great day for HUD, Atlanta, and America!