The city of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) is receiving national recognition for removing abandoned shopping carts in neighborhoods and providing home maintenance classes to homeowners receiving housing rehabilitation assistance.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) will present two Awards of Merit in Housing and Community Development to NSD for these projects at the organization's summer conference in July in Nashville, TN.

NSD implemented a 90-day pilot program in 2005 to recover abandoned shopping carts covering a 43-square-mile area in Phoenix neighborhoods. This effort retrieved approximately 2,200 carts, and 75 percent of the picked up carts were reclaimed by stores.

This success triggered a citywide cart retrieval program in 2007 that resulted in the retrieval of approximately 5,500 abandoned cars in the first seven months.

This innovative program encourages retailers to take responsibility for their carts and helps clean up neighborhoods.

The Home Maintenance Training program was unveiled in August 2007 to provide homeowners receiving housing rehabilitation assistance comprehensive training to help them meet code requirements and improve the safety, comfort and appearance of their homes.

The training also includes energy conservation tips.

Nearly 200 customers have participated in the program, which will help low-to-moderate income homeowners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to address routine home maintenance issues.