Neighborhoods USA Conference, Summary
The 31st Annual Neighborhood USA Conference took place May 25-26 in Kansas City, MO. I, along with a number of other Davenporters, took part in the conference to learn of other "best practices" that are working in various cities, with regard to neighborhood revitalization. Thanks to City Administrator Craig Malin and Bruce Berger, of CED, for making the trip and for their participation as well.
Nearly 900 attendees, from across the country, gathered at the KC Convention Center. Sixty workshops were offered, along with a few keynote addresses, and neighborhood tours.
I attended four workshops, a keynote address, and a forum during the two days.
Of the sessions I attended, I noted a "Top-3" that might have some direct impact if components were implemented within Davenport. The top-3 included Hollywood, Florida's Youth Coalition Program, Des Moines, Iowa's Neighborhood Finance Corporation, and Kansas City, Missouri's Good Hammer Program.
The Youth Coalition Program reaches out to children (ages 9-17) with monthly projects that are covered by local media. It partners with local PTA's, and introduces police officers to kids at young ages through sports and other activities. The program also identifies negative leaders in the children's circles and turns them into positive role models.
The Neighborhood Finance Program is a 501(c)3 that includes partners from: Polk County, the City of DM, Neighborhood Associations, Banks/Lending Institutions, and other businesses. The program has a board of directors that approves various neighborhoods for eligibility in the program. Since 1991, $137-million has been re-invested in DM neighborhoods. On-line at: http://www.neighborhoodfinance.org
The Good Hammer Program provides access to high quality, minor home repairs and financing for senior citizens who are at-risk of losing their homes to predatory lenders, in one or more target neighborhoods.
Davenporters did lead two workshops - Barbara Metz presented "Organizing Neighborhood Associations from the Beginning", while Pat Egly and Jannette Higginson presented "Community Politics."
Complete Notes and Additional Details at Ian's website:
http://www.ianfrink.com/NUSA.html
posted by Ian Frink @ 7:02 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Is the NFP program income based? We don't need any more programs to help the poor in Davenport, we need programs to help the working middle class.
From the NFC website Q/A section:
Is your program only for low-income households?
"No. Our program is neighborhood- or property-driven, not income-driven. First, we look at the address of the property you are buying, improving or refinancing to determine if it is in our lending area. If it is, then we would like to discuss the possibility of your obtaining a mortgage loan or home improvement loan with us. Then, you will need to complete a pre-qualification form (please allow sufficient time for this to download) to determine eligibility."
How much did it cost to send you and Malin to this event? Where did you stay?
DWB
My receipts were just over $400 (meals/lodging). I stayed at the host convention hotel with a discounted rate (a Marriott, next to the conference). I was the lone council representative on this particular trip.
What is your position on nuisance abatement of bad tenants and landlords?
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