2000 Best Practice Awards

856 Computer Tech Training
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Karen R. Wilds (757) 247-9701

Computer Tech Training began in 1999 at NNRHA with a pilot group of residents. The program is an intense 18 week session that includes the following software packages: Internet Coach for Netscape, Windows 95, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, MS Exchange, A+ Microcomputer Support & Services, MS Navigational Technologies, Internet Basic for Computer Professionals, Client Interaction, Basic Networking Infrastructure, MCPS Supporting Excel 5.0 & 7.0, Work Study and PC Repair Lab. This training is offered on site at the Family Investment Center with transportation provided to residents who do not live within walking distance. The session includes four hours of classroom instruction daily and additional self-paced work in the computer lab. Each student learns to assemble a computer and to trouble shoot the hardware and software. Residents are qualified to sit for the A+ Certification exam, a nationally recognized certification, at the completion of training.

495 Bayview Citizens for Social Justice
Cheriton, Virginia
Contact: Alice Coles (757) 331-1840

The residents of Bayview organized the Bayview Citizens for Social Justice, a community based non-profit organization, in 1972. BCSJ is the catalysis for the empowered low-income African American residents to create a sustainable and economically stable life for the families who live in the Bayview community. Bayview is a small rural community located on the eastern shore of Virginia. This impoverished and economically deprived community, like most of the communities on the eastern shore, was slave quarters around the late 1690's for the ancestors of many of the present day residents. Alice Coles, Executive Director of BSCJ, and the residents had a dream, and today a goal, to rebuild the entire community with shops, homes, apartments, black owned businesses, and job training/placement programs. With the financial and technical assistance of 31 state, federal, and private non-profit agencies, BCSJ has raised over $7million dollars to start its sustainable community initiatives: Acquisition of 312 acres for community development, Installation of a water and sewer system, 34 units of multi-Family rental housing, 30 single family rental and homeownership units, a community produce farm and market, multi-purpose community center, Job Training/placement and Education Program.

Additional information:

from the Washington Post (http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/aug98/bayview051098.htm) U.S. Senate News Release (http://www.senate.gov/member/va/robb/releases/nroct08.html)

75 Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing
Portsmouth, Virginia
Contact: Danny Cruce (757) 399-5261

With the Personal Responsibility Act looming on the horizon, the PRHA envisioned an entire department dedicated to family self-sufficiency. The primary objective for the development of the comprehensive FSSP Department was to provide a social service delivery system to public housing and Section 8 leaseholders that 1) did not divide families into rigid and segmented categories of programs, 2) was sufficiently funded and could comprehensively address the complex needs of low-income families, 3) consisted of public and private partnerships that facilitated functional communication between agencies, 4) and was not crisis oriented. The FSSP Department was developed by a concise FSSP Strategic Plan that was incorporated in the FSSP Action Plan. Targeting 1,345 families, the program is composed of delivery components and need components. Broadly speaking, the delivery components include Outreach, Intake, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Coordination and Evaluation.

322 Lynchburg, Virginia Metropolitan
Lynchburg, Virginia
Contact: Barbara Bennett (804) 832-7818

Central Virginia’s Regional Renaissance (CVRR), a consortium of four counties and two independent cities, has launched a "visioning" process to solicit ideas from the public about what changes they would like to see in their communities. Every governmental jurisdiction in the region provided financial support to the project, equivalent to 50 cents for each resident of their communities.

CVVR held 15 public meetings, one in each of the region’s public high schools. More than 1,800 residents of the four counties and two cities attended and submitted more than 7,000 ideas, proposals, and projects that they would like to see undertaken as the region prepares to enter the next century.

The public meetings concluded in early December 1999 and CVRR’s staff organized the 7,000-plus ideas into nine broad categories by governmental subdivision and published them in hard-copy and on the web. They then invited any interested residents to vote on 10 of the 7,000-plus ideas they think are most important to pursue.

As of mid-April, almost 3,000 residents of Central Virginia had voted. Once the votes are tallied, CVRR expects to begin developing the strategies whereby those ideas can be made real.

Additional information:

Central Virginia’s Regional Renaissance (CVRR) website (http://www.regional-ideas.org/vision/vision.htm)

349 HOME - Putting a multi-million dollar fair
Richmond, Virginia
Contact: Connie Hamberli (804) 354-0641

HOME, a HUD-approved comprehensive housing counseling agency as well as a fair housing organization, effectively combines effective fair housing enforcement actions with support for the housing and revitalization needs of the community.

In April 2000, HOME settled its redlining lawsuit against Nationwide Insurance for $17,500,000 and a commitment to change its business practices and actively serve urban markets throughout the country. The money, the largest single unrestricted award to date in a fair housing case, is to be used to further HOME’s mission of ensuring equal access to housing. The settlement, added to the 1999 settlement of $4,250,000 of a redlining lawsuit against Liberty Mutual Insurance, will support a wide range of programs, including low interest loans and grants to help low income homeowners make essential repairs.

HOME sued Nationwide Insurance Co. for overcharging or denying coverage to homeowners in predominantly African American areas of the city. A Richmond jury awarded HOME $100.5 million in damages in October 1998 after reviewing the evidence of Nationwide's practice. The jury award was the largest ever in a fair housing case and sparked dramatic changes in the industry. The State Supreme Court overturned the award in January, 2000 and in April the a rehearing of new arguments was scheduled. Instead, it was announced on April 24th that Nationwide settled the nation's largest housing bias case by agreeing to pay HOME $17.5 million and to improve its service in the city's predominantly black neighborhoods. Besides settling with HOME, Nationwide also agreed to pay $8 million to the Washington-based National Fair Housing Alliance for consulting, training, and monitoring. Nationwide did not admit to any wrongdoing. The agreement looks toward to future. Besides writing checks to back up its promise to raise its profile in urban markets and add more policyholders particularly in the African American, Latino and other minority communities, it has revamped its underwriting guidelines to end blanket rejection of homes in older neighborhoods. It has opened 19 company service centers in cities, including one in Richmond with 11 more to be added this year. Also, it is providing $32 million in grants to neighborhood groups in Richmond and other cities to bolster housing developments. And it will invest $2 million to build 40 homes in 40 cities including Richmond, for Habitat for Humanity. The settlement is a milestone in the continuing battle against bias by insurance firms.

With Nationwide now in the fold, HOME and NFHA are focusing on their bias complaints against Travelers and Prudential insurance companies. The settlement was made possible by the new President of Nationwide, Mr. Barnes. Just two months after he became president, he took the first step in starting talks. Mr. Barnes felt it was time for a change and he was impressed by the upspike in business Nationwide was gaining from its urban service centers. This was the first bias case ever against a property insurer. Lawyers handling the case included Timothy M. Kaine, HOME's lead lawyer who also serves as Mayor of the City of Richmond. HOME will use the award to bolster current housing counseling and fair housing programs as well as create a fund to help people pay for repairs to their homes.

Need for Project: Urban neighborhoods in Richmond, as elsewhere, have suffered disinvestment as a result of insurance redlining for decades. The results have been houses in disrepair, a drop in property values, fewer city services, and a downward spiral that deprives homeowners of the equity in their property and cities of healthy communities. HOME’s settlements with Nationwide (and other insurance companies) not only stop the discriminatory practices but also plow settlement proceeds back into the disinvested neighborhoods. African American and Latino neighborhoods suffer from lack of coverage for risks like fire, vandalism, and theft. Participants/Customers: HOME, National Fair Housing Alliance, and Nationwide Insurance Co.

367 New Road Community Development Group
Exmore, Virginia
Contact: Ruth Wise (757) 442-3797

The New Road Community Development Group of Exmore (NRCDGE), a community based non-profit organization, is located on the Virginia eastern shore peninsula. Residents of the New Road Community is 99% African-American. NRCDGE was formed in 1992 to fight for a sewer and water system that would provide services to 90 substandard housing. This community was owned by two landlords. The units, housing for 200-300 men, women, and children, have no indoor plumbing, and outdoor pits privies. The average annual income in the community is $9,000 for a one income household. The land mass for the New Road community encompasses 30 acres. The New Road Community development group is designed to foster a sense of community and resident involvement. To manage its rental properties, sustain its homeownership ideals, and generally oversee the well-being of the community at large. The mission of the organization is to create a healthy community of hope, through improving housing conditions and economic uplift, empowering and enabling families in the New Road community to thrive and to encourage youth to thrive to help shape their futures to take their rightful places in society and to share in the american dream. The 15 member board and officers are residents who live in the New Road community. None of the members had prior experience in community organizing and development; However, they were determined to create a sustainable and affordable living environment for their families. In May of 1998, NRCDGE started construction on its community water and sewage system, after much deliberation brought about by the local government in opposition to the project. The New Road group developed a comprehensive revitalization plan which guides all community work and activities. The plan has three components: Housing, Economic, and human development. The economic and human development will generate from the housing development and will evolve from that base into fully functional divisions. The organization employees an Executive Director and two vista volunteers as its full time staff, who carryout the daily tasks of the community's housing and revitalization work. NRCDGE accomplishments includes: Evolved a $10 million Comprehensive Revitalization Plan, Leveraged $1.75 million in CDBG funds for water and sewer and infrastructure, Secured a low interest loan of $343,000 to purchase from two absentee landlords, 30 acre property and 54 substandard units for demolition and new housing development, Renovated building for office and meeting space for community, Renovated building for youth center, Management of 20 single unit rental properties, Rehabilitates 5 elderly and low income homeowner units, Identified housing counseling services and recruit low income families for first time homeownership. Continue to fundraise to support community projects.

546 Virginia Beach Community Development
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Contact: MaryKay Horoszews (757) 463-9516

Under the HOME Rental Program operated by the Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation (VBCDC), the city of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation has identified specific neighborhoods where the housing conditions are deteriorating. The city's Department of Housing provides HOME funds to VBCDC and Virginia Beach HOME, Inc. (VBHOME, Inc.), a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Both organizations acquire and extensively rehabilitate properties in the neighborhoods at risk. VBHOME, Inc. transfers its properties to VBCDC after completing rehabilitation, and VBCDC then manages and maintains the units as permanent affordable rental housing. VBCDC and VBHOME, Inc. leverage the HOME funds with additional financing from local lenders in order to produce as many affordable housing units as possible. Each unit receives an average of $17,000 in rehabilitation, the most visible of which is interior and exterior painting, insulation, landscaping, drainage and walkway repair. The work also includes replacement of roofs, windows, siding, carpet, flooring, kitchen cabinets, sinks, counters, bath cabinets, vanities, interior and exterior doors, heat pumps and hot water heaters, kitchen appliances, fences, plumbing fixtures and electrical components. VBCDC utilizes a ratio of 80% grant to 20% bank financing for this project, ensuring that rents can be kept affordable since debt service is low.

574 Sycamore Street
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Kurt W. Ebersole (757) 928-0116

Sycamore Square is a specific project within the "Adopt-A-Block" strategy of the city of Newport News. With the goal of effectively targeting one block of the city at a time for renovation, blight removal, crime reduction, and development of low-income, first time home ownership, Newport News utilizes community housing development organizations (CHDOs), departments of the local government, private businesses and non-profits to proposed and implement revitalization projects. The 25th Street block between Sycamore and Buxton Avenues was targeted as an "Adopt-A- Block" area in 1996. The community was plagued by the presence of a bar/nightclub, abandoned and deteriorated houses, and a reputation for crime. The bar, "The Blue Note," was responsible for much of the community's peace disturbance, including parking lot shootings and litter. Sadly, most of the litter, beer bottles and disturbances were blamed on the residents of the homeless shelter (Friends of the Homeless) on the corner of Sycamore Ave. and 25th Street until steps were taken to form a local crime watch group. The group met at the shelter for lack of another location, and soon realized that the families staying there were as interested in a peaceful community as they were. In fact, the shelter and its staff became leaders in the community as the revitalization effort got underway. The community then focused its attention on the problem of "The Blue Note." In 1997, "The Blue Note" was closed through the efforts of the crime watch, the Newport News Police Department, The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and the property's owner. Friends of the Homeless, Inc., a CHDO as well as a homeless shelter, then used HOME funds to demolish the bar and a nearby abandoned house in 1998. Five new homes - affordable houses for low-income or first-time home buyers - were designed and planned for construction, which also began in 1998. Friends of the Homeless has developed photo documentation of the project and step-by-step guides for the developed properties. Included in the binder for each home are copies of all relevant acquisition, demolition, zoning, inspection, construction, buyer pre-qualification, buyer counseling and sales documents. Working through zoning issues, setback variances and repeated incidents of breaking and entering into the construction trailer, Friends of the Homeless has already completed and sold three of the homes, and the other two will be built and owner-occupied by September 2, 2000. The difference in the atmosphere of the Salter's Creek neighborhood, where Sycamore Square is located, tells the story of revitalization and renewed community pride on the block "Adopted" by "Friends of the Homeless."

589 Economic Lift Through Rural Business and Economic Development and Main Street Enhancement
Lawrenceville, Virginia
Contact: Claudia D. Cochan (804) 848-3797

In 1998, St. Paul college operated a small business incubator project in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce. The institution has launched a aquaculture project which will create jobs and help to improve the local economic base in the county of Brunswick. A member of St. Paul's staff is on the Economic Development Commission for the county. St. Paul's initiative, economic lift through rural business and economic development will increase the role and effectiveness of the college in the community development of the town of Lawrenceville in the following ways: a.) St. Paul will become the catalyst for change in revitalizing the community. b.) The college will provide a working link with the town governing body of mutual interest. c.) St. Paul will become an active participant in improving the economic conditions in the community. d.) St.Paul will have a part in building community pride and helping to improve the racial fabric of Lawrenceville. e.) Creating partnerships with local , state, federal agencies to improve social, economic and living conditions in the community.

699 Chesapeake Affordable Homeownership
Chesapeake, Virginia
Contact: Brenda G. Willis (757) 523-0401

The Chesapeake Affordable Homeownership Partnership (CAHP) is a public-private-nonprofit partnership comprised of Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA, Lead Partner), South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity, and the Tidewater Builders' Association (TBA). The CAHP program is an innovative approach toward addressing several needs of the citizens of Chesapeake. In the early 1990's, CRHA and TBA were working together to build affordable homes on-site in Chesapeake. By 1993, TBA was also constructing three- bedroom, energy efficient homes off-site at its apprentice training center. Chesapeake RHA negotiated an agreement to purchase these completed off-site houses and move them to prepared lots in a Chesapeake neighborhood which has been the focus of revitalization efforts. Meanwhile, CRHA had another partnership with Habitat for Humanity, which consisted of lot donations for Habitat single-family construction in the revitalization zone. In 1996, CRHA broadened both of these partnerships by developing the program which is the centerpiece of the CAHP. This program has involved moving eight (to date) of the TBA off-site constructed homes to Habitat-built foundations on CRHA-prepared lots. Habitat further enhances the homes, which are sold through a lease-purchase arrangement to first-time low-income buyers, by adding large front porches. This enhancement provides curb appeal and allows the homeowners to become neighborhood aware and involved. Additionally, the relationship between CRHA and TBA provides job training and employment opportunities for some of Chesapeake's public and assisted housing residents with employability barriers. These personal development and employment programs are delivered through TBA's pre-apprenticeship and equipment operator programs.

1439 Elliston - Layfayette Community Based Strategic Planning Initiative
Elliston, Virginia
Contact: Melvin L. Wells (540) 268-2918

The Elliston-Lafayette Community is located in an unincorporated rural area near Roanoke, Virginia. Most residents work and shop in nearby cities. They requested community-planning assistance from HUD. A HUD Community Builder worked with a group of 30-40 residents over a six month period to complete a strategic plan for the area and to help the community organize themselves The residents have now formed a non-profit organization, "The Village of Elliston" and are organized into six issue oriented committees: Transportation, Safety, Community Facilities, Beautification-Historical Preservation, Education, and Local Government. Either through appointment or attendance, these committees are now represented on 17 key county level committees.

The group meets once per month to discuss items that are on the county agenda and to determine the position, if any, that the official group will take on any issues. The group continues to sponsor social events to encourage membership growth.

The residents have now formed a non-profit organization, "The Village of Elliston" and are organized into six issue-oriented committees: Transportation, Safety, Community Facilities, Beautification-Historical Preservation, Education, and Local Government. Either through appointment or attendance, these committees are now represented on 17 key county level committees. The group meets once per month to discuss items that are on the county agenda and to determine the position, if any, that the official group will take on any issues. The group has also raised $3000 to purchase and erect a sign at each of their boundaries.

1806 Accomack - Northampton Planning District
Accomack, Virginia
Contact: Paul F. Berge (757) 787-2936

The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) (http://www.institute.virginia.edu/VAPDC/pdc22/pdc22.htm) is the regional repository for U.S. Census data for Accomack-Northampton Counties and nineteen towns on the eastern shore peninsula. The commission was established on February 9, 1970, to promote the orderly and efficient development of the physical, social and economic elements of the district through regional planning, and encouraging and assisting governmental subdivisions to plan for the future. Since 1982, 15% percent--$22,816,009--of the state of Virginia's Housing and Community Development CDBG funds have gone to the nineteen towns and two counties on the eastern shore. Currently, the PDC has 14 active grants, depending on eligibility, local governments could apply for new community improvement or planning grants. CDBG funds have been used to provide 6,355 direct benefits to low and moderate income persons, such as housing rehabilitation, water, sewer, street and drainage improvements, and jobs. More than $1,145,907 have been set aside to provide indoor plumbing to 27 homes. Though the use of CDBG funds, 661 households have been provided with standard housing conditions. 536 housing units in Accomack and Nothampton Counties have been rehabilitated, 125 units have been either built or reconstructed. The A-NPDC has Rehabed/Replaced 1,009 units to benefit low income households on the eastern shore for a total of $23,977,202 in HUD funds, passed through via the Virginia Housing and Community Development CDBG program.

1899 Hilliard House
Richmond, Virginia
Contact: Elizabeth Palen (804) 261-0818

In Eastern Henrico County, an urban county near Richmond, VA, Hilliard House stands today as a testament to the determination of homeless service providers and advocates to be heard in a community which, until three years ago, denied that it had any homeless citizens. This hard-won transitional housing facility will be the base of a service-enriched environment for thirty homeless women with children and single women to make the return journey from homelessness to self- sufficiency. Located at the intersection of Nine Mile and Dabbs House Roads in Eastern Henrico County, the 17,000 square foot facility will open officially in August, 2000. Hilliard house will provide housing and classes in parenting, anger management, personal finance, and nutrition. Other supportive services, such as job enhancement and mental health counseling will be provided by allied agencies in order to make the most effective use of the community's resources. The horseshoe-shaped facility consists of two rehabilitated (for this project) and four newly constructed buildings, connected around an interior courtyard. Hilliard house offers safety, help and hope to enable families and individuals to recover from homelessness.

1905 Madison Heights Neighborhood Revitalization
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Karen R. Wilds (757) 247-9701

Madison Heights, located along the 26th Street Corridor of Newport News, VA, is an exciting model of a revitalized neighborhood and renewed spirit of community. This partnership between the City of Newport News and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NNRHA) started with the acquisition and demolition of one block of severely distressed buildings to create a site for new, affordable houses. The land acquisition continued along 26th Street, eliminating blight and restoring confidence in the neighborhood's potential for quality of life. NNRHA solicited housing designs compatible with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhood, and embodying maintenance, safety and attractiveness features which have created great interest in the potential for future homeownership in the southeast community. The 31 homes at Madison Heights are affordable, low maintenance, energy efficient and visually appealing. The two-story, three bedroom, two full bath homes feature attached garages and full front porches, with interchangeable facade elements to further enhance the housing design and promote curb appeal. The porch feature is not only consistent with neighborhood design, but is a key to the safety of Madison Heights, as owners are readily able to observe street activity and interact with neighbors. Construction of the first sixteen homes began in February, 1997 and these were fully occupied by November 1997. The next fifteen homes, built between 1998 and May, 2000, continue the transformation of this once extremely fragile community. Several of the new homeowners are former assisted housing residents, and all Madison Heights homebuyers are required to participate in NNRHA/Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) HUD certified homebuyer education. The new homebuyers have become an important stabilizing influence in the neighborhood through the formation of a crime watch/neighborhood association. Madison Heights represents a model of community revitalization which is making a difference in one of Newport News' older, distressed neighborhoods. The project demonstrates the importance of combining attractive design, leveraged financing, and homebuyer involvement to recreate a superior quality of life for the citizens of Newport News.

1994 Bramleton Outreach Center Redesign Program
Norfolk, Virginia
Contact: Thomas Dawes (757) 823-2396

Through a grant (HBCU) received by Norfolk State University, the Brambleton Community Center, which had declined in participation and support from the surrounding community, was selected to be the site for community outreach, computer lab instruction, microenterprise and personal development programs. The center was in need of extensive rehabilitation before it would even be appealing enough to draw the residents of the nearby neighborhoods. Through the grant, the heating/ventilation and air conditioning system was replaced; a new, accessible front entrance was built; landscaping was redesigned to help the Center fit the surrounding community; the exercise room was expanded; and classroom and conference rooms were added. The redesigned Center now includes a computer lab with 12 new computers, a new health and fitness room, and a new video/TV/game room. In order to meet the needs of the public/ assisted housing communities nearby (Park Place, Brambleton and Berkeley), the Center had to consider the programs being offered. Their challenge was to attract the interest and participation of the neighborhood residents, especially unsupervised youth, who were perceived as causing serious problems in the community. New staff was hired and new programs developed to target and reach out to these young people. In the process, the Center, now renamed the Brambleton Outreach Center, has become an intergenerational gathering place. Included in the center's new programming are: Computer Training; Microenterprise (small business) incubator, guidance and technical support; After-school/weekend youth mentoring and tutoring; After school/weekend youth sports, recreational activities and outings; Senior citizens' activities and outings; Job training and day care; and Literacy, GED, parenting, nutrition, and personal employment readiness classes for welfare-to-work residents. In further partnership with Plumbline Ministries, a local Community Housing Development Organization, the Center has provided homeownership counseling workshops to promote buying opportunities which, in turn, helps stabilize the neighborhood.

Additional information:

Brambleton Community Civic League (http://www.gohamptonroads.com/community/groups/Brambleton/)

2263 HUD's Hurricane Floyd Disaster
Richmond, Virginia
Contact: Franacis R. Burnham (804) 278-4500

This best practice describes the disaster relief services provided by members of HUD’s ad hoc Hurricane Floyd Disaster Team in the Virginia State Office in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd.
HUD staff members performed much needed services and added their creativity and expertise to the disaster relief process. Their efforts were far in excess of those duties committed to by HUD in the Federal Disaster Response Plan.

Examples of HUD staff initiatives include (but are not limited to):

• The Community Builder (CB) Fellow and Multifamily Project Manager visited all HUD-insured apartment developments (a total of 7,265 units) in Hampton and Newport News to perform damage assessments, while in-house support and guidance were relayed to them via cellular phones from the CB and Multifamily Senior Program Manager.
• The CB Fellow and Multifamily Project Manager provided emergency community information to housing development managers and tenants while assessing the extent of property damage, which eventually totaled more than $2,000,000.
• Other HUD staff staffed the Disaster Recovery Centers and provided HUD program information to disaster victims. They also worked cooperatively with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), Red Cross, Virginia Emergency Services, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and other relief organizations, and addressed numerous specific situations independently.
• The community knowledge that HUD staffers brought to the recovery effort was very helpful to FEMA’s staff, most of who were from different parts of the country. There was at least one instance where FEMA used this cultural and community knowledge by having the HUD staff member act as an ambassador to elicit cooperation from a development manager so victims could be assisted.

2540 New Life Development Housing Program
Norfolk, Virginia
Contact: James A. Spruill (757) 627-0801

New Life Development (New Life), a HUD certified non-profit, purchases, rehabilitates and sells single family homes to qualified low-and moderate-income homebuyers. New Life makes the down payments for all buyers, and will pay closing costs and pre-paids for some buyers in order to reduce the out-of-pocket burden on these new homeowners. In keeping with the agency philosophy of "Building Hope Where There is No Hope," New Life employs local contractors to rehab the homes, and works with local mortgage brokers and lenders for financing. This local connection is more than expediency. By establishing relationships with local businesses, New Life paves the way for their customers to be welcomed by these businesses for loan applications. New Life displays its commitment to the well-being of the community through other programs, as well. Dovetailing with the Housing Program are programs offering financial counseling and money management, career counseling and development and employment assistance, among others. New Life approaches Homeownership from a holistic perspective, often starting with clients who are at their lowest point, in need of the very basics for survival, and patiently works to help them develop their own fullest potential. This development process culminates for some in the achievement of the American Dream - home ownership. New Life's programs are so well-managed, and their use of HUD products is so effective, that the Virginia State Office is holding one of our National Home Ownership Week events at a New Life (rehabbed) House.

2906 Junior Police Academy
Petersburg, Virginia
Contact: Alphonso Patrick (804) 733-2202

The Petersburg Police Athletic League will instruct the young people in the community about law enforcement, the appropriate functions of the police, applicable public service functions of citizens and officials, conflict resolution and self-defense.

Additional information:

Petersburg Police Athletic League (http://www.petersburg-va.org/police/policeathletic.htm)

Content Archived: April 20, 2011