2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: One Hundred Black Men Technology Center

Technology Center Provides Technical Resources and Training

Albany. One Hundred Black Men, in partnership with government, business and educational institutions, provides inner-city residents with access to technology resources, technology-based training and technology tools to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to achieve self-sustaining jobs. This project involves the development of 100 state-of-the-art community-based computer and resource centers networked to the One Hundred Black Men Technology Center. Once residents receive training, they train others at their sites. The project builds an information and communication network, develops life-skills, and creates an intergenerational social network. As of March 2000, facilities in three areas have provided computer training to 514 participants.

Contact: Richard Harris, Phone: (518) 443-6929
Tracking Number: 2174
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Best Practice: Glen Cove Downtown Revitalization 2000

Downtown Business Improvement District Fosters New Jobs and Business Growth

Glen Cove. With financial assistance of a New York State Urban Development Corp. grant and technical support from the Glen Cove Community Development Agency (CDA), a Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) was formed in 1997 for business recruitment and retention, marketing, promotion and beautification of the downtown commercial district. Property owners, merchants and city representatives worked tirelessly to develop programs and events to retain existing businesses, attract new ones and let area residents know Glen Cove was a city on the move. This positive energy generated excitement among apathetic merchants and property owners, while it instilled community pride among citizens. The BID board of directors reached out to include all segments of the business community to serve on its committees. Today, the BID and the Chamber of Commerce literally work side by side—in adjoining offices—coordinating efforts to foster a prosperous business community. The collaboration and dedication of many organizations and agencies, including city and CDA staff, the BID, Chamber of Commerce, La Fuerza Unida De Glen Cove, property owners and citizens, made changes possible. The revitalization efforts created more than 400 new jobs since 1997 and provided over 300,000 square feet of vacant land, empty buildings or substantially vacant buildings with over $72,000,000 in private investment since 1993 and over $7,000,000 in municipal infrastructure improvements since 1994.

Contact: Thomas Suozzi, Phone: (516) 676-2144
Tracking Number: 3000
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: The Long Island Home Purchase Process Initiative

Long Island Initiative Fights Barriers to Home Ownership

Long Island. In 1996, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in alliance with 13 industry professionals, initiated the Long Island Home Purchase Process Initiative (LIHPPI). LIHPPI is a Federal Reserve System effort, undertaken locally by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in order to eliminate the barriers to homeownership on Long Island. By means of the LIHPPI process, a cross-section of professionals from the real estate and related industries examined various aspects of the home purchase process and identified impediments to potential homebuyers. Focusing on six areas — appraisal, consumer education, home finance resources, insurance, mortgage origination, real estate, and the creation of a permanent information Web site (www.lihome.com) — the task groups worked over a period of several months and then formulated specific recommendations for eliminating barriers and increasing homeownership opportunities. The genesis for this project was the ongoing allegations of discriminatory practices in the home purchase process. By March 1997, the barriers had been identified and the implementation stage of this project had begun and continues today. The program also has a strong educational component, including the publication of materials to be disseminated across Long Island and the placing of information on the Web site.

Contact: William McDonough, Phone: (212) 720-5000
Tracking Number: 149
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Best Practice: 1199 Housing Corp.

Collaborative Effort Transforms Property to Provide Improved Housing

New York. With the collective assistance of HUD, the cooperative’s board of directors, a new management agent, the New York City Housing Preservation Department and the New York City Housing Development Corporation, a management improvement operating plan was developed to address repairs to this 1,594 unit project, including elevator renovations, roof replacement and heating system repairs. Once among the worst properties, it is now on sound financial footing and considered a very good property. Emphasis was placed on shaping up approximately 90 vacant units so they could be rented, thereby improving the property’s income stream. HUD approval of a two-stage rent increase, together with the execution of a Section 236 excess income repayment agreement enabled the project to stabilize and improve.

Contact: William Dames, Phone: (212) 749-3999
Tracking Number: 2008
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Child Health Now Coalition

Coalition Improves Health Care Access for New York Children

New York. The Children's Defense Fund-New York helped forge the Child Health Now Coalition to increase children’s access to health care by enrolling uninsured youth in Medicaid and other health benefit programs. The coalition is comprised of more than 200 community-based organizations, government agencies, groups doing facilitated enrollment, unions, the faith community, businesses, health and human service providers, managed care organizations, elected officials, child advocates and others concerned with children's health. Each partner works in an area of expertise to jointly develop local and statewide strategies to increase enrollment in Medicaid and Child Health Plus in New York State. The Coalition’s efforts have helped 11,000 New York children obtain Medicaid coverage.

Contact: Joan Ladesh, Phone: (212) 264-8000 Ext. 3130
Tracking Number: 1240
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Best Practice: Fair Housing Enforcement – Testing

Fair Housing Enforcement and Testing in New York City

New York. The Open Housing Center coordinates fair housing enforcement and testing through a set-a-side program to recruit and train testers and obtain pro-bono services from large law firms and provide litigation support. It is one of the most effective fair housing organizations in the nation. HUD has highlighted its effective testing program in a joint press release informing the public of a $100,000 settlement against a New York City landlord accused of discrimination on the basis of race. More than 660 tests of housing discrimination were conducted and the center used black and white testers to support allegations of discrimination. The tests resulted in the filing of 15 cases. To date, cases recovered $406,049 through settlements before and after trial.

Contact: Karen Webber, Phone: (212) 941-6101
Tracking Number: 253
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Future Kids Program

Afterschool Program Teaches New York City Children Valuable Computer Skills

New York. Future Kids @ NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) is an after-school computer technology-training program that teaches children how to use computer hardware and software. Citywide, up to 1,000 NYCHA children ages 9 to 12 attend 25 after-school programs. They are given an introduction on computer usage and application, including an introduction to computer hardware and navigating the Windows environment; Web page development; and introduction to word processing, spreadsheets and databases. The goal of the program is to teach computer literacy skills by having students create practical, reality-based projects using a variety of computer application software, while, at the same time, fostering a challenging, cooperative and rigorous academic environment. The program demonstrates an improved quality of life for participating children. It also increases their potential for self-development and opens up future career opportunities.

Contact: Anthony Navarro, Phone: (212) 306-3416
Tracking Number: 1783
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: Harlem Technology Center

Harlem Technology Center Provides Training for High-Tech Employment

New York. Harlem Technology Center created a high-tech multimedia and telecommunications training center for community residents. Since its inception, 44 Empowerment Zone residents have been trained for high-tech employment and it is projected that 700 more will be trained in the next five years.

Contact: Terry Lane, Phone: (212) 410-0030
Tracking Number: 2391
Winning Category: Geographical and Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: HEPA-VAC Loaner Program

Lead Abatement Program Helps Ensure Environmentally Safe Homes

New York. New York City’s Lead Abatement Program works with 10 community-based organizations to ensure that facilities are free of lead hazards. The program provides training and loaner equipment to communities, thereby allowing residents to have environmentally safe homes. The alliance leverages city resources by providing a link to the grassroots neighborhoods of a sprawling city. Partners include community centers, ethnic groups, a Boys & Girls club, and a U.S. Department of Justice Program that supports community revitalization.

Contact: Betsy Mokrzycki, Phone: (315) 448-8710 Ext. 8699
Tracking Number: 3131
Winning Category: Program (Office of Lead Hazard Control)

Best Practice: HomeWorks

Rehabilitation of Abandoned Buildings Strengthens Neighborhoods

New York. HomeWorks is an innovative program of the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development that removes neighborhood blight, creates a market for homes in distressed neighborhoods, and makes high quality renovated homes affordable to moderate- and middle-income families. The city conveys abandoned buildings to experienced builders who renovate and sell these homes at market rates. The city provides gap financing to developers, who in turn work with lenders to provide mortgages with low down payments. The result has been a strengthening of investment and owner-occupancy in the city's neighborhoods, creating a healthier commercial and residential environment in which to live and work. Currently, 232 buildings consisting of 627 dwelling units have been rehabilitated for sale to moderate-income homebuyers. Rehabilitation of another 320 units in 123 buildings is underway.

Contact: Kimberly Hardy, Phone: (212) 863-6400
Tracking Number: 1995
Winning Category: Program (Housing - Single Family)

Best Practice: NYCHA's Prospect Plaza HOPE VI 1998 Grantee

Partnership Improves Provision of Services to Residents

New York. The New York City Housing Authority maximized the capacity of existing community-based providers at Prospect Plaza by supporting a four-agency collaboration. Leaders of a local church, two development corporations, and a tenant association joined forces to create a community development corporation with nonprofit status. This umbrella group manages the Housing Authority’s supportive services program and works with other community partners to provide services including assessments, child care, transportation, job development and job placement. The program provides a linkage to the community and the residents they serve. The creation of this unique partnership unifies community-based organizations under one umbrella to harness their power to better serve residents in a comprehensive fashion.

Contact: Anthony Navarro, Phone: (212) 306-3416
Tracking Number: 1725
Winning Category: Program (Public and Inidan Housing)

Best Practice: Supportive Housing Network of New York

Supportive Housing Network Helps Provide Affordable Housing

New York. The Supportive Housing Network of New York is a membership organization of nonprofit supportive housing providers with 156 member agencies throughout New York state, offering resources, public education, and advocacy on behalf of providers and approximately 17,000 tenants living in supportive housing. Member agencies provide safe, affordable housing for people with limited incomes, including those who were homeless, have mental or physical disabilities, are living with HIV/AIDS and/or have a history of substance abuse. Since its inception 12 years ago, Supportive Housing Network has become the leader statewide in public education, advocacy, resource sharing and supportive housing policy analysis. As the voice for the supportive housing movement, Supportive Housing Network educates the public and policymakers about this cost-effective, permanent solution to homelessness. Supportive Housing Network also provides training and information to its members, hosting workshops and an annual conference on issues affecting its members. Among the Network’s many accomplishments is its integral role in the renewal of the New York/New York II Agreement to develop 1,500 new units of housing for the homeless mentally ill over the next five years. The New York/New York II program resulted in $45.7 million in new state capital funding and $85 million in city capital funding.

Contact: Maureen Friar, Phone: (212) 870-3303
Tracking Number: 1980
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Saratoga Boys & Girls Club

Binghamton Housing Authority Opens Boys & Girls Club in Saratoga

Saratoga. In 1989, the Binghamton Housing Authority and the Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton were selected as one of five communities across the country to pilot a new venture—establishing a Boys and Girls Club within a housing development in Saratoga. The club was first housed in a community room provided by the housing authority. However, in 1996, when the program proved to be so successful, the housing authority built a new facility at Saratoga Terrace. The site includes a gymnasium, computer classroom, game room and activity area. The program serves youth residents age 5 to 18 with after-school and evening educational and recreational programs. The curriculum focuses on six core areas: character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, arts and sports, and fitness and recreation. NovaNet, an integrated computer learning system, was recently installed in an effort to enhance the educational opportunities of the youth attending the club. The new system provides the club's youth with access to more than 40,000 education, career and life skills training lessons, and gives them a positive educational experience.

Contact: David Tanenhaus, Phone: (607) 723-9491
Tracking Number: 535
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: Husted Dairy

Messages on Milk Cartons Spread the Word about Lead Paint Poisoning

Syracuse. Lead Abatement staff in the city of Syracuse partnered with Husted Dairy, a privately owned and operated local business, to place messages on the back of milk cartons to help in the fight against lead paint poisoning. The city was interested in identifying an innovative and creative way to get their message out to the public. Meetings with owners of the local dairy indicated that the family-operated business cared about their community, and milk was identified as a healthy-source product that could be used in outreach efforts. Groups in other communities could easily replicate this project by working closely with local dairy suppliers.

Contact: Don Husted, Phone: (315) 475-0014
Tracking Number: 3132
Winning Category: Program (Office of Lead Hazard Control)

Best Practice: The Ark, Inc.

The Ark Improves Academic Performance and Provides Job Training for At-Risk Youth

Troy. The Ark is a community-based after-school educational center providing comprehensive services for at-risk youth in the city of Troy. Housed on a 278-unit public housing property, the Ark offers programs including tutoring, computer skills, arts education and early intervention reading programs. The Ark also provides weekly classes and job training in computer technology and video production, followed by a summer youth employment program. Wyred Enterprises—a youth entrepreneurial program developed in partnership with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute—trains youth in web design technology. Graduates will use their skills to operate a web page design business that creates sites for community members and paying commercial clients. Partners providing services and funds include HUD, the housing authority, the school district, city, county, state, local colleges and universities, an array of community service providers, foundations, and individuals. The Ark programs result in multiple achievements for the participants, including improved school performance; creative life choices through active participation in peer counseling groups; and job training and experience in communications and computer technology. Every year, more middle and high school students are staying with The Ark and are actively involved in daily programs. They are encouraging one another, forming supportive friendships and creating a model-learning environment for the younger children.

Contact: Jay Murnane and Mary Theresa Streck, Phone: (518) 274-2555
Tracking Number: 1053
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: Gun Buy Back Program

Watervliet Housing Authority Exchanging Guns for Grocery Certificates

Watervliet. The Watervliet Housing Authority launched what it believes is the first Gun Buy Back Program started by President Clinton and HUD Secretary Cuomo. The cooperation from city government leaders, the police department and Watervliet Housing Authority was key to a successful program; 85 weapons were turned in. In exchange, grocery gift certificates were given to those who presented the weapons.

Contact: Charles Patricelli, Phone: (518) 273-4717
Tracking Number: 1765
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Westchester County Affordable Housing Campaign

Westchester County Campaign Developing Affordable Housing

White Plains. The Westchester County Affordable Housing Campaign is a multifaceted program to provide education and to encourage greater support for and participation in the development of affordable housing. The project includes a breakfast seminar on the importance of promoting a sense of community and local economic development. There were housing advocacy-training sessions to increase knowledge of the impacts of affordable housing on a community with more than 150 housing advocates in attendance. Housing Alive! conducted bus tours of affordable housing projects recently completed. Financial incentives were awarded to encourage participants to create affordable housing advertisement campaigns.

Contact: Andrew Spano, Phone: (914) 232-6583
Tracking Number: 3072
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Home Ownership Services

Counseling Program Ensures Sustainable Homeownership

Rochester. The Home Ownership Services Program of the Housing Council in Rochester, NY, is a one-stop shop for addressing the needs of potential homebuyers who are at low- to moderate-income levels. To ensure sustainable homeownership in Rochester and Monroe counties, all aspects of homeownership are addressed. The program helps first-time buyers prepare for homeownership by enhancing their consumer skills and explaining the homebuying process through pre-purchase counseling. Homeowners facing foreclosure are assisted in negotiating realistic repayment plans with their lenders and loan servicers. Qualified homeowners who demonstrate an ability to maintain mortgage payments are offered deferred payment loans. In addition, the program helps senior citizens with limited incomes to remain in their homes by providing counseling on applying for HUD’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. All homeownership services are available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. In calendar year 1999, 178 first time buyers received pre-purchase counseling services and proceeded to close loans, allowing them to complete the purchase of their first home. The Housing Council also counseled 317 families who were delinquent in their mortgage payments, 95 percent of whom succeeded in avoiding foreclosure.

Contact: Anne Peterson, Phone: (716) 546-3700 Ext. 3008
Tracking Number: 443
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: StoreWorks

StoreWorks Project Creates New Housing and Retail Space

New York. The StoreWorks Project is the purchase, redevelopment and return to private ownership of vacant, deteriorated, city owned, mixed-use buildings. These buildings generally contain a storefront at street level and one- to eight- residential units above. The City of New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) sold Neighborhood Housing Services Community Development Corporation 34 properties. Bank of New York Mortgage Company, Greenpoint and EAB provided the private sector financing for the purchase, renovation and permanent financing through the HUD insured FHA 203(k) Mortgage. HPD provided additional financing with city subsidies. In Round I of the program, 34 buildings containing 72 dwelling units and 35 commercial spaces were rehabilitated, and all are completed. Round II of the program is currently underway, with an increased number of buildings scheduled to be included for commercial and residential rehabilitation (currently 63 mixed-use buildings containing 168 dwelling units). Rehabilitation of mixed-use buildings reaps multi-faceted benefits for a neighborhood: in many cases the streets on which StoreWorks buildings are located were economically viable but had one derelict building bringing them down. By bringing new occupants into these renovated storefronts and the apartments above them, a StoreWorks building speeds the recovery of the neighborhood in which it is located.

Contact: Kimberly Hardy, Phone: (212) 863-6400, New York
Tracking Number: 1971
Winning Category: Program (Housing - Single Family)

Best Practice: Working with Our Youth

Local Jobs Help Build Youth Pride in Housing Development

New York. For the past 18 years, using its own funds the Watervliet Housing Authority has operated a summer youth program. The program encourages young adults from ages 14-21 to work at the Authority during the summer. Resident children are given this unique opportunity to work in the office or outside and learn while being paid. This experience creates a higher level of respect, by the young people, for their homes. The program is the main reason why this housing development has very little vandalism, graffiti or problems with it’s youth. The Authority benefits in many ways. The work gets accomplished and it is rewarding to see the youth’s achievements.

Contact: Charles Patricelli , Phone: (518) 273-4717
Tracking Number 1810
Winning Category: Program (Public and Indian Housing)

Best Practice: Schenectady Inner City Ministry

Inner City Ministry Draws on 53 Congregations to Address Concerns of Low- and Moderate-Income Residents

Schenectady. SICM is an ecumenical partnership of 53 congregations working together to "relate the resources of the churches to the human needs of the city." SICM initiates programs/ministries of joint service with the focus of addressing critical concerns affecting and involving low- and moderate-income residents of Schenectady City and County. Current initiatives are: (1) the county's largest emergency food pantry, which is a model pantry run primarily by volunteers but serving 25,000 annually. (2) The Damien Center, a drop-in center for people infected with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS, which serves over 180 peoples a year. (3) A neighborhood-based job placement, information and referral center, called JOBS etc. JOBS places 300+ people a year in jobs. JOBS recently received the "Human Services Program of the Year" award from the Council of Community Services, a statewide group. (4) Save and Share, a food-buying co-op, which saves participants significantly on first quality food and is especially helpful to the marginal, lower-waged worker and seniors provided an average of 329 units of discounted groceries each month. (5) An appliance matching service, run by volunteers, that directly links persons wanting to donate appliances with those needing them. (6) A growing summer youth lunch program, located in city parks and at some congregational sites, which provides approximately 30,000 lunches over a 7 week period. (7) SCITT, a teen improvisational and educational theater troupe that does skits written by teens on such topics as drug prevention, relationships, AIDS prevention, parents, and the like. SCITT has received several awards. (8) Coalition building on public issues with and on behalf of the churches in areas affecting inner city communities. (9) A Housing Task Force that administers a revolving loan fund for security deposits, approved 45 security deposit loans last year. In addition, it also coordinates housing developers and providers, and advocates for improved public policies on housing.

SICM traditionally has developed programs to meet community needs, nurtured those programs along and then, when appropriate, spun those programs off to other organizations or to independence. Locally well-known programs in this group include Project SAFE and SAFE HOUSE (outreach to prostitutes and runaway youth) Bethesda House (downtown day shelter for the homeless), and Hill and Vale Affordable Housing (a community land trust).

Contact: Ms. Marianne Comfort, Phone: (518) 374-2683
Tracking Number: 736
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Best Practice: Tri City Faith Based Collaborative

Tri City Faith Based Collaborative Helps Cities Utilize HUD Resources

Niagara Falls. The Tri City Faith Based Collaborative is comprised of approximately 800 faith-based and community organizations in Western New York, the three cities of Buffalo, Rochester and Niagara Falls. Working with minority faith groups and community organizations, Tri City helps these groups access HUD resources to address extreme poverty in each of the cities. The Tri City Collaborative has projects in housing, economic development, social action, youth and family services, and cultural tourism. The collaborative received HUD funds to address the needs of the most distressed communities in various cities. The most significant impact of the project is the empowerment of minority groups that had previously been without direction or support. The project involved more than 12 day long training sessions, 10 capacity building workshops, and 8 mini conferences and round table discussions for the purpose of preparing these groups for participation in the funding process. More than 3,000 volunteer hours are provided daily by the collaborative. To date, 10 families have purchased new homes.

Contact: William Grooms, Phone: (716) 285-4098
Tracking Number: 2441
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Best Practice: SHA Homeownership Voucher Program

Low-Income Section 8 Participants Create a Rainy Day Fund for Homeownership

Syracuse. The Syracuse Housing Authority assists low-income Section 8 recipients with homeownership by using their Section 8 funds toward the purchase of a home. Low-income residents of Syracuse who qualified for Section 8 funding have little opportunity to use their funding toward the purchase of a home instead of renting. The program provides homeownership classes to participants, and helps participants set up an escrow account to demonstrate their saving ability to mortgage lenders and uses the escrow funds for homeownership-related expenses. Local Syracuse agencies, like Home Headquarters, Syracuse Weed and Seed and the Syracuse Modern Neighborhood, partner with SHA to provide financial assistance and classes for the program. Cooperation from Section 8 staff and Family Self Sufficiency coordinators is essential to replicating the program they provide supportive services and referrals to agencies and banks for assistance. As a result of SHA, participants have purchased two homes, and three additional homes are entering the closing process.

Contact: Terry Kresser, Phone: (315) 470-4407
Tracking Number: 3185
Winning Category: Geographical

Content Archived: April 20, 2011