Little Rock Choice Neighborhood Initiative Presentation

1. Little Rock Choice Neighborhood Initiative Presentation Monday, March 19, 2012, 6:00 p.m.

2. Choice Neighborhood Initiative Defined • Choice Neighborhoods grants transforms distressed neighborhoods and public and HUD-assisted projects into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods. • Integrates existing planning efforts for public and HUD-assisted housing with a focus on People and Place needs within the immediate and surrounding neighborhoods. • Unique Qualities of the Grant: • Links Housing to the improvement of appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation and access to jobs • Strong emphasis is placed on local community planning • Involves local governments, non-profits, and for-profit developers

3. How we qualified for the Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant? • Existing Conditions • Successful work and productivity with HUD-assisted public housing • High levels of foreclosure • Underperforming schools • 32.96% poverty rate

4. Little Rock Choice Neighborhood Location • Neighborhood Planning Area is bounded by: • I-630 (north) • Fourche Creek (south) • Harrison Street (west) • Battery Street (east) • Housing includes: • Sunset Terrace (Public Housing) • Elm Street Community (Project-Based Section 8) • Schools include Franklin Incentive Elementary, Central High School and Stephens Elementary

5. Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grant • Three Stages; Planning Grant, Transformation Plan, Implementation Grant • Where are we now? Planning Stages • Goal: A Comprehensive, Community-Focused Transformation Plan

6. 3 Angles of Transformation • Neighborhood • People – Education People – Community and Social Services • Housing

7. Planning Goals: Neighborhood Transforming the neighborhood by providing: • Good Services (grocery stores & water quality) –Downtown Partnerships, Audubon • Convenient Public Transportation – CATA, Metroplan • Access to Jobs – Chamber of Commerce, Little Rock Workforce Investment Board

8. Planning Goals: People Education: • Better Schools and Resources – LRSD, UALR, New Futures for Youth • Learning from Cradle to College – HIPPY, UAMS • Preparation for Employment – Promise Neighborhood Teams Community and Supportive Services • Health – Little Rock Community Mental Health, AR Children’s Hospital • Safety – LRPD

9. Planning Goals: Housing Transform “distressed” Public and Assisted Housing into Housing that is: • Energy Efficient • Mixed Income • Well-designed Partners include the LR Community and Housing Advisory Board, LR Landbank

10. Ways to Be Involved in the CNI This is a Participatory Planning Process! • Attend community meetings like this one • Inform us about community needs via • Issues Forums • Community Surveys • Individual Interviews • Workshops & Charrettes • Stay informed and let your neighbors know

11. HUD Site Visit – April 10 • Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center • 6:00 to 7:30 pm • Your voice is needed!

12. Communication Plan • Choice Neighborhood Website • YouTube Channel • Hard Copy Fliers announcing dates, location, and contact information • Small group / Community Meetings • Upcoming planned community events (Burger Fest, Dominoes Tournament, Choir Music Competition, etc.) • Latonya Wilson, Choice Neighborhood Program Coordinator, 501.580.8687

13. Closing Remarks and Q/A • Comments • Suggestions • Feedback • Input WE NEED YOU!!!