2000 Best Practice Awards
Program and Geographical Winners: New York
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 sidein adjoining officescoordinating
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 cooperatives 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 propertys
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 childrens 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 Coalitions 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 Citys 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 Authoritys 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 Networks
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 ventureestablishing
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 Enterprisesa
youth entrepreneurial program developed in partnership with Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institutetrains 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 HUDs 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
its youth. The Authority benefits in many ways. The work gets accomplished
and it is rewarding to see the youths 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
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