Citizen Inspection Program.
This program was initiated in a poor inner city neighbourhood with a problem of abandoned and poorly maintained residential buildings. The neighbourhood trained under city inspectors to learn to identify 7 common areas of violation of building and health regulations. To date 80 volunteer inspectors have been trained. The volunteer inspectors are empowered to writing letters to building owners outlining violations and measures required to comply. The compliance record for the volunteer inspectors is 80% compared to 60% for city inspectors.
Tree Planting Program for Private Property.
This program matches low income, physically challenged citizens who wish to plant trees on their property with a nursery willing to provide trees at a reduced cost, non-profit organizations willing to deliver trees, and youths who plant the trees. Citizens who wish to participate must attend classes on selection and care of trees.
Rental Property Owners Group.
This group formed in one neighbourhood where most property owners lived outside of the area. The neighbourhood was in decline and property values were dropping. At present, 60% of the area's property owners are meeting monthly to share information and training opportunities. The program recently expanded into 3 additional neighbourhoods.
Housing Connections Program.
This project was initiated in an inner-city neighbourhood characterized by a high vacancy rate. The city's Housing Placement Agency had a list of tenants who wished to live in the area but who were unable to find an affordable apartment. Owners were contacted and a pilot project involving 21 units was started. Owners and tenants are provided with some initial orientation. To date, 7 out of every 8 tenants are still in place, showing a significant reduction in turnover. Based on that success, the program has been expanded to 100 buildings providing 1000 units. In order to participate every owner must agree to an inspection and to charge an "affordable" rent.
Concentrated Weeding Program.
This program focuses on neighbourhoods with multiple problems related to crime, drugs, and violent activity. When an area is identified, all enforcement agencies (16 in total) from the city, county, state and federal governments co-ordinate a one-night enforcement raid in the area. Across the board compliance is enforced. The initiative requires full co-operation and strategic planning.
A similar program for environmental regulation compliance is planned.
Resources
The NRP has a budget of $20 million per year for 20 years for 81 neighbourhoods. Representatives from the agencies listed in Structure (above) are included in the program. Planning staff are also assigned to the program.
The CARE program has virtually no fixed resources: neighbourhoods with needs are matched by the Director of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program with resource people on an ad hoc basis.
History and Comments
Both programs outlined above were initiated by city politicians. The NRP was characterized by the survey respondent as "a top down process" with planners, department heads and administrators identifying goals. lt has appealed mostly to neighbourhoods with a higher socio-economic status.
The CARE program only works with a neighbourhood at their request and attempts to "empower' neighbourhoods by tackling smaller, do-able projects first and then moving on to bigger issues.
Obstacles to implementation of both programs were identified: absence of trust on part of the citizens; pressures that citizens face which impede their ability to participate (eg. demands of work and family life); the amount of time required to participate; people's fear of change, and; a rigid organizational structure with no incentive to change. The CARE program was initiated partly in order to address these obstacles.