Programs & Projects

Acquire vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or deteriorated homes and rehabilitate them for affordable sale or rental to working families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Repurposing may include housing returning citizens and formerly incarcerated individuals. IMPACT: It produces visible, measurable results—homes restored, families housed, property values stabilized, and municipal liabilities returned to productive use.

Provide critical home repairs, including roofs, heating systems, plumbing, electrical systems, accessibility ramps, mold remediation, lead-hazard reduction, and weatherization. IMPACT: Repairing an occupied home is often less expensive than allowing a family to become displaced, homeless, or dependent on institutional care.

Combine rehabilitated homes with: a) Home buyer education b) Credit counseling c) Down-payment assistance d) Financial-literacy training e) Financial-literacy training f) Post-purchase counseling g) Post-purchase counseling h) Affordable mortgage referrals Impact: The program moves families from housing instability to long-term ownership, neighborhood commitment, and inter-generational asset building.

Collaborate with contractors to Train/apprentice unemployed and underemployed residents in: a) Carpentry b) Electrical and plumbing trades c) Property maintenance d) Weatherization e) Lead-safe renovation f) Construction administration g) Landscaping h) Project management Participants could receive paid work experience rehabilitating Community Habitat Programs properties. IMPACT: One investment produces two outcomes: restored housing and employable residents.

Transform vacant lots and neglected public spaces into: a) Community gardens b) Pocket Parks c) Pocket parks d) Play areas e) Play areas f) Landscaped gateways g) Community gathering spaces h) Improved lighting and pedestrian areas i) Storm water-management sites The project could also organize resident cleanups, tree planting, exterior painting, and anti-dumping campaigns. IMPACT: It generates highly visible results, encourages resident participation, improves neighborhood appearance, and can reduce conditions associated with illegal dumping and crime.

Rehabilitate a prominent vacant building as a neighborhood hub offering: a) Housing counseling b) Small-business assistance c) Workforce training d) Youth programming e)Mediation and resident services f) Computer and financial-literacy classes g) Meeting space for community organizations IMPACT: It creates a permanent, highly visible community asset rather than a temporary activity. It also connects housing revitalization with employment, education, entrepreneurship, and resident engagement.