2000 Best Practice AwardsProgram and Geographical Winners: Washington, D.C.
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 Districts 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
Clinicas 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 citizens priorities are being
funded in the budget. A Performance Management System holds the governments
agency directors and staffs responsible for implementing the citizens
priorities.
Contact: Joseph Goldman, Phone: (202) 727-2823
Tracking Number: 229
Winning Category: Geographical
Return
to Best Practices 2000 Program and Geographical Winners
Content Archived: April 20, 2011 |