Phoenix received national recognition for its efforts at removing neighborhood blight, building infill housing and removing health and safety hazards from homes in the community.
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) presented three Awards of Merit in Housing and Community Development to the Neighborhood Services Department for these projects at the organization's recent national conference in Chicago.
Neighborhood Services spearheaded the neighborhood revitalization and community development efforts, which addressed more than 1,200 blighted properties in central Phoenix. In that Village Center Neighborhood Initiative Area, the department also made possible the building of 17 affordable infill homes, rehabilitated more than 100 homes and created approximately 200 jobs for low- and moderate-income residents.
Overall, the project helped more than 43,000 residents in the Sunnyslope area.
Neighborhood Services also helped to design and create a Neighborhood Resource Center in at 24th Street and Broadway Road that includes a neighborhood police unit, neighborhood code enforcement inspectors and community meeting rooms. The center was built with 2001 bond funds.
In addition, the "Healthy Homes Demonstration Project" remedied child health and safety hazards in 120 housing units, as well as provided parent education and supplies to make the homes safer and healthier for children. The project was a collaborative effort between Neighborhood
Services, Phoenix Head Start, Phoenix Children's Hospital and the Arizona Department of Housing.
NAHRO is a national housing and community development organization devoted to promoting affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families and individuals.
