2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: Teen Town Talk

Chicago Teens Meet to Discuss Discrimination

Aurora. Teen Town Talk provided HUD’s Chicago office an opportunity to work with the city of Aurora to change the attitudes of Aurora’s future leaders. With Teen Town Talk as the forum, students from East Aurora, West Aurora and Hinsdale high schools discussed their personal experiences with discrimination and the impact of discrimination and fair housing on education, their social life and employment. HUD and the city’s Division of Neighborhood Redevelopment also took advantage of the opportunity to educate this diverse group of students about fair housing laws. Other community groups, such as the John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic and the ASPIRA Association’s Spanish Translation Service, facilitated discussions and information sessions.

Contact: Brenda Sue Shavers, Phone: (312) 353-6236 Ext. 2511
Tracking Number: 1164
Winning Category: Geographical and Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Best Practice: 2000 Community Development and Empowerment Series

Training Initiative Empowers Housing Development Organizations in Chicago

Chicago. The 2000 Community Development and Empowerment Series is a training and certification program for Chicago’s community-based housing development organizations. The program’s curriculum includes classes in technical development skills and strategies for community empowerment and investment. Representatives from Home Investment Partnerships’ community housing development organizations, Chicago’s HUD office and city agencies have participated in the program. The program was made possible with funding from the Chicago Rehab Network, Office of Community Planning and Development of the HUD Illinois State Office, Bank One and Bank of America. To date the program has positively impacted the surrounding community. Twelve new housing development organizations were established and 619 units of affordable housing were made available.

Contact: Kevin Jackson, Phone: (312) 663-3936
Tracking Number: 868
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: Chicago Rents Rights Collaboration

Collaboration Promotes Understanding between Landlords and Tenants

Chicago. The Chicago Rents Rights Collaboration brings together approximately 15 organizations representing landlords, tenants and other entities involved in the housing industry. Through education, the collaboration fosters a positive relationship between tenants and landlords. The collaboration offers a variety of services, including educational programs on the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance and informational brochures on the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. A training program for aldermanic staff on landlord and tenant issues is offered as well. In addition to creating a media-marketing plan, the Chicago Rents Rights Collaboration has also established a landlord-tenant hotline. The hotline is programmed to answer frequently asked questions and offers referral services for more complex questions. During the first month of operation, the hotline answered 20,000 telephone calls.

Contact: Elise Mann, Phone: (312) 747-5706
Tracking Number: 2452
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Client Resource Room

Resource Room Brings Housing Services to Clients’ Fingertips

Chicago. CHAC Inc., which runs the Section 8 program for Chicago, established the Client Resource Room as a "one-stop shopping" information center on housing and related services. The resource room grew out of a need for human services program participants to have a place to access information, write a resume, place calls about potential jobs or make appointments to view housing. Today, the Resource Room serves Section 8 applicants and residents as well as landlords, owners and CHAC staff. The room offers information on things like neighborhood and community demographics, education and job opportunities, childcare, human services, maps, landlords and available housing. Visitors can access telephone, computer and Internet services, and seek the assistance of a full-time resource specialist. With a client base of 26,000 families, 10,500 owners and 200 staff, the Resource Room served almost 6,700 people between May 1999 and March 2000.

Contact: Kathleen Trainor, Phone: (312) 986-9400 Ext. 4653
Tracking Number: 2819
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: HUD Continuing Education Courses at Great Lakes Center

Center Teaches HUD Clients about Environmental Principles

Chicago. The Great Lakes Center for Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health—a nonprofit arm of the University of Illinois’ School of Public Health—offers environmental courses to HUD clients. Community Development Block Grant recipients and public housing authorities are required to meet environmental standards and the environmental education courses at the Great Lakes Center fill the need for educational opportunities in the Chicago area. The effort is unique in its emphasis on classroom learning, using case studies and classroom exercises to demonstrate the practical application of environmental principles. Topics have included Orientation to Environmental Assessments, Energy Performance Contracting, and the Nuts and Bolts of Brownfield Redevelopment. In the last seven years, approximately 700 persons from HUD, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Oak Ridge and Lawrence Berkely National Laboratories, and the city of Chicago have attended training courses at the center. User fees and tuition provide funding for the training program, while members of participating agencies also donate their time. The continuing education courses have received excellent evaluations from the participants, and word-of-mouth publicity keeps the classrooms full.

Contact: Eugene Goldfarb, Phone: (312) 353-1696 Ext. 2727
Tracking Number: 230
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: Lead-Based Paint Initiative

Partnership Ensures Compliance with Lead-Based Paint Notification Requirements

Chicago. Chicago’s Lead-Based Paint Initiative is a cooperative effort among federal and local government agencies to ensure that property owners and real estate agents comply with tenant notification requirements regarding lead-based paint. The goal of the project is to reduce—and ultimately eliminate—lead poisoning among Chicago children by changing the practices of those who rent to families. Staff from HUD, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice work together on the initiative, along with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the city of Chicago. The agencies perform field investigations and reviews, analyze data, subpoena documents, and, where problems exist, propose remedies and settlements. The project has succeeded in heightening awareness of lead-based paint issues among Chicago’s building owners and real estate agents.

Contact: Charles Williams, Phone: (312) 353-6236 Ext. 2618
Tracking Number: 2875
Winning Category: Program (Office of General Counsel)

Best Practice: Midwest Community Builder Section 103 Training Manual

Ethics Training Manual Helps HUD Employees Deliver Better Service

Chicago. Two Chicago HUD staff persons, Lewis M. Nixon and Elisa J. Yochim, developed the Midwest Community Builder Section 103 Training Manual as an ethics training manual to help colleagues better understand disclosure limitation requirements in effect during the SuperNOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) selection process. The manual was initially distributed to Midwest Community Builder Fellows and other area HUD employees involved in the selection process. It eventually went to all HUD field employees. Mr. Nixon also conducted training based on the manual. Beneficiaries gained an understanding of the reasoning behind statutory and regulatory requirements concerning non-disclosure. By clarifying the requirements and the reasoning behind them, the manual and training helps preserve the integrity of the SuperNOFA selection process and ensures that clients receive quality service.

Contact: Elisa J. Yochim, Phone: (312) 353-6236 Ext. 2620
Tracking Number: 2928
Winning Category: Program (Office of General Counsel)

Best Practice: Kankakee Lead Safe Home Prevention Program

Lead Hazard Renovations Improve Housing in Kankakee

Kankakee. Through the Kankakee Lead Safe Home Prevention Program, the city of Kankakee has streamlined its approach to removing lead hazards in housing. By taking advantage of an economy of scale, the city saves money in buying new windows in bulk, often securing lower prices than what an individual contractor would have to pay. The city relies on the health department’s lead screening program to identify lead-based paint hazards. Kankakee’s lead hazard reduction treatment includes replacing windows; stabilizing interior paint; and cleaning, painting and reinforcing porches. Emphasis is placed on neighborhoods where many of the homes were built prior to 1978 or where a high percentage of children are found to have elevated blood lead levels. To date, 113 homes have been renovated, and the number of children with elevated blood lead levels has decreased significantly. Kankakee was recently awarded new funding and named a sub-grantee of the State of Illinois’ Department of Public Health’s Lead Prevention Program and has been allocated a grant in the amount of $392,184 to continue its work.

Contact: Steven Gordon, Phone: (815) 933-0506
Tracking Number: 806
Winning Category: Program (Office of Lead Hazard Control)

Best Practices: Lead-SAFE 2000

Madison County Educates Communities about the Hazards of Lead Paint

Madison County. Madison County Community Development (MCCD), in collaboration with the Madison County Health Department and the Madison County State's Attorney's Office, unveiled Lead-SAFE 2000, Madison County's Childhood Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program. This three-year comprehensive initiative has opened dialogue among numerous organizations regarding lead-based paint hazards and the associated health risks. This HUD-funded program conducts risk assessments and clearances, contracts for lead hazard control activities in low-income homes, and has an extensive community outreach and education component. Lead-SAFE 2000 has provided lead hazard control assistance to 63 homes and distributed more than 7,000 informational program flyers. Most communities in Madison County have been made aware of the program through local media coverage and community bulletins.

Contact: Cheryl R. Jouett, Phone: (618) 692-8140
Tracking Number: 1322
Winning Category: Program (Office of Lead Hazard Control)

Best Practice: Community Builder/Public Trust Officer Collaboration on HOPE VI/Section 3 in Peoria and Decatur, IL

Collaboration Assists HOPE VI and Section 3 Recipients in Adhering to Regulations

Peoria. A community builder and a public trust officer have entered into a collaborative working relationship on two HOPE VI developments in Illinois. They have done so in a way which provides an opportunity for recipients of HOPE VI funding to adhere to regulations and procedures related to both HOPE VI and Section 3. The model has been almost completely implemented in Peoria and is in the process of being replicated in Decatur. Based on agreements reached with HOPE VI developers, 30% of the new hires on the development projects will be Section 3 residents and 30% of the businesses will be Section 3 minority- and women-owned firms.

Contact: Robert Walsh, Phone: (312) 353-7776
Tracking Number: 2772
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Best Practice: The Springfield Project’s Homeownership Program for Equity (HOPE)

Program Brings Vacant Homes to First-Time Homeowners

Springfield. The Springfield Project and Dominican Sisters of Springfield together developed the Home Ownership Program for Equity (HOPE) to provide for the purchase and rehabilitation of vacant homes in Springfield and assist residents in obtaining financing to purchase new homes. In order to participate in HOPE, prospective homeowners must take part in an educational and mentoring program for new homebuyers. The program aims to identify individuals in the neighborhood who have poorly drafted Contract for Deed (CFD) arrangements and match them with volunteer attorneys who will provide them with the necessary legal advise required to renegotiate these deeds. The program gives potential homeowners a clearer understanding of the homebuying process. HOPE was implemented in this Springfield neighborhood based on the statistics, which reveal that only 28 percent of the residents in the neighborhood own their property in comparison to 85 percent in other areas. HOPE’s first property has been rehabilitated and will be opened for inspection by Mayor Karen Harasa in celebration of the first HOPE Home of the Millennium.

Contact: Mr. Leroy Smith, Phone: (217) 206-7688
Tracking Number: 1637
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Best Practice: Deborah’s Place II Apartments

Housing Complex Provides Shelter for Homeless Women

Chicago. Deborah’s Place II Apartments, a 39-unit permanent-housing complex, provides affordable housing and a variety of other human services for the homeless women of Chicago. The apartments fill an important need for affordable housing in the area, as housing for low-income and homeless individuals is disappearing due to demolition or conversion to high-rent apartments. To help residents combat mental, emotional and physical disabilities, as well as unemployment, substance abuse, physical or sexual abuse, and chronic health problems, Deborah’s Place works with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital and other medical centers to provide a full range of medical and counseling services. Modeled after Washington Square in Newport, New Jersey, the apartments and health program were made possible with funding from HUD’s Community Development Block Grant, the city of Chicago’s Department of Human Services, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Supportive Housing Program.

Contact: Patricia Crowley, Phone: (773) 292-0707
Tracking Number: 810
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: Mid-America Leader Foundation's Community and Economic Development Program

Matched Savings Accounts Teach Families the Value of Saving

Chicago. Mid-America Leadership Foundation’s (MLF) Community and Economic Development Program was established to help low-income families in impoverished communities. The hope of homeownership gives the poor a stake in the future—a reason to save, to dream, and to invest time, effort, and resources in creating a future for themselves and their families. MLF’s program addresses these issues through matched savings accounts, financial literacy training, workforce enhancement, and business opportunities. The matched savings accounts—called Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)—match participants’ savings dollar for dollar up to $600 a year, for three years. Participants can only use this match money for home purchase, post-secondary education, and business start-up. A financial literacy course must be completed before match money can be used. The course covers topics such as capitalism, materialism, values and power, family financial security, debt management, insurance basics, home purchase, investing and giving back. Participants must pass two quizzes, a final exam and attend 10 of 12 sessions to complete the course. MLF utilizes the Work Readiness Index designed by the Denver Workforce Initiative (DWI) to assess a participant’s readiness to find and retain a job. This tool provides feedback that offers strengths and weaknesses of an individual that can be discussed with a "coach." In addition, MLF has business mentors who are available to work with participants interested in starting their own businesses. To date, 54 IDAs have been opened and more than $10,500 has been saved since May 1999. And, 261 people have benefited from at least one of MLF’s financial literacy classes.

Contact: Gary Nederveld, Phone: (312) 427-2017
Tracking Number: 2111
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Best Practice: Center for Conflict Resolution’s Fair Housing Dispute Resolution Orientation

Dispute Resolution Helping to Resolve Fair Housing Disputes

Chicago. The Center for Conflict Resolution, an affiliated program of the Chicago Bar Association, provides voluntary mediation services to the public. One of the most efficient and promising developments in the nation’s fair housing industry has been the increased use of alternative dispute resolution. Since there is a large backlog of fair housing cases, this mediation program helps reduce the number of cases in Chicago’s judicial pipeline.

The center with the use of Community Development Block Grant funding sponsored a volunteer mediation program entitled the "Landlord/Tenant Mediation Program." In March 2000, the center hosted an orientation for 20 program mediators. The purpose of the orientation was to enable the mediators to further assist participants in fair housing disputes so that they may come to workable understanding of their differences. Maurice McGough, director of HUD’s Chicago Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity office gave attendees a fifteen-minute overview of fair housing enforcement

The program was presented in cooperation with other local nonprofits, including Access Living, Lawyer's Committee for Better Housing and the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities.

Contact: Ed Sacks, Phone: (773) 871-4700
Tracking Number: 1499
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Content Archived: April 20, 2011