2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: District of Columbia Housing Authority HOPE VI Revitalization Project – Wheeler Creek

Wheeler Creek Revitalization Sparks Economic Development

District of Columbia. The revitalization of the Valley Green housing development into a mixed-income homeownership and rental community has been a catalyst for economic activity in one of the District’s most neglected neighborhoods. More than 2,000 new homeownership opportunities are planned in the surrounding communities, and there has been an influx of middle-income taxpayers. In addition, community members have formed a resident-owned Community Development Corporation, 50 residents are employed by various development enterprises and at least another 50 will become homeowners on the redeveloped site. Crime, and the fear of crime, has been substantially reduced. The Wheeler Creek project can be replicated by joint planning, development and cooperation among public housing residents, local government, developers, financial institutions and the community at large.

Contact: Lawrence Dwyer, Phone: (202) 535-1500
Tracking Number: 2476
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: La Clinica del Pueblo in Washington, DC

Nonprofit Medical Center Raises Awareness of Lead-Based Paint and Building Hazards

District of Columbia. La Clinica del Pueblo is a minority-run, nonprofit medical center that provides primary care, education and advocacy to low-income Latinos living in the District of Columbia. The center ensures that residents living in deteriorated housing are fully aware of the health effects of lead-based paint by providing multilingual literature at local health fairs, churches and schools. It encourages blood testing of children to detect lead poisoning and works with the housing remodeling industry to promote safe work practices. Nearly 150,000 area residents have benefited from La Clinica’s outreach and education efforts, which include radio and television broadcasts on Spanish-language stations.

Contact: Staci Gilliam, Phone: (202) 708-0614 Ext. 4601
Tracking Number: 2922
Winning Category: Program (Office of Lead Hazard Control)

Best Practice: Washington, DC Partners in Homeownership

Partners in Homeownership Increases Homeownership in Washington, DC

District of Columbia. The Washington, DC, Partners in Homeownership project has increased homeownership by enabling more than 1,000 low- and moderate-income city residents to become homeowners. During 1998 and 1999, homeownership and home sales activity was higher in the District of Columbia than in any jurisdiction in the DC metropolitan region and any other central city in the nation. The Partners in Homeownership project works with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations to accomplish its objectives. The organization participated in National Homeownership Week, produced a comprehensive loan product notebook and homeownership resource guide, developed a homebuyer education and counseling program and worked with organizations, such as Fannie Mae, to research and develop employer-assisted homeownership programs. The project has made homeownership a highly visible issue in Washington and has been directly involved in the funding, production, financing and sale of at least 1,300 units targeting low- and moderate-income individuals and families.

Contact: Marc Weiss, Phone: (202) 554-7440
Tracking Number: 2571
Winning Category: Program (Housing - Single Family)

Best Practice: Neighborhood Action Initiative in Washington, DC

Neighborhood Action Initiative Engages Community in the Governing Process

District of Columbia. The Neighborhood Action Initiative engages citizens in the decision-making processes of Washington, DC, government by linking their priorities to the planning and budget processes. More than 3,000 people participated in a Citizen Summit that included a seven-hour, facilitated discussion about their priorities for the city and their neighborhoods. Technology enhancements such as polling keypads and laptop computers allowed Mayor Anthony Williams to respond to citizens’ comments and individual questions in real time. Technology also permitted citizens to see where their opinions fit within the larger group and enabled Neighborhood Action to record the feedback for future use. Other methods for collecting input included additional summits, a website, and dedicated phone lines. Comments and suggestions have been incorporated into the Citywide Strategic Plan, which includes a document showing how citizen’s priorities are being funded in the budget. A Performance Management System holds the government’s agency directors and staffs responsible for implementing the citizens’ priorities.

Contact: Joseph Goldman, Phone: (202) 727-2823
Tracking Number: 229
Winning Category: Geographical

Content Archived: April 20, 2011