Housing Project Success Story

About the street
Hildegarde Street is a one block long, cul-de-sac located in one of Moreno Valley's oldest neighborhoods. Built in 1956, the small neighborhood was beginning to show signs of aging. Property maintenance was down. Most homes no longer had grass, paint was chipping of the homes, and fences were falling apart. On any given day, a visitor could find trash piled up in the yards, overgrown trees, and junk vehicles lined up the street. Many of the homeowners did not have enough money to make any major repairs themselves. The entire street was on the decline, while the rest of the City was growing.

About the project
The City recognized Hildegarde's need and saw an opportunity to make a change when it was able to purchase a foreclosed property on Hildegarde under the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Dollar Sales Home Program.

The City had the home rehabilitated and sold to a low-income family. At that point, the City was determined to invest the money gained from the sale, back into the same neighborhood.

All homeowners and residents were contacted for a bi-lingual community meeting held in the neighborhood on September 25, 2002.

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, September 25, 2002
City staff introduced the project to homeowners and residents at this bi-lingual meeting, held in the heart of their neighborhood.

The information was well received. The high participation rate was largely due to this meeting.

At that meeting, it was explained that homeowners would be eligible to receive one-time, exterior facade (or street-view) repairs at no cost. The residents indicated their desire to participate and arranged for appointments where they, the project manager, and housing inspector together discussed the repairs that could be made to their home.

Eligible repairs included: painting, front yard fence/gate, landscaping, irrigation systems, tree pruning/removal of dead trees, driveway improvements, and removal of inoperable vehicles.

Project Inspector and Project Manager meet with homeowners at their houses.

The results
Within 10 months, Hildegarde Street had received a "face-lift". Using under $100,000, the City was able to make a major change. The project benefited more than 85 people who live on Hildegarde as well the surrounding community. Property maintenance is up and the revitalized street is a source of pride for all. The City is pleased with the results and hopes to institute similar projects in other parts of the City.