Community Engagement Specialists to Help Neighborhoods and Homeowners

Jul 15, 2021

A program aimed to help homeowners and communities keep up and improve their neighborhoods - the Community Engagement Healthy Home Initiative - passed council recently (7/14). 

Council authorized spending up to to $1 million to hire "Community Engagement Specialists" for city neighborhoods. 

The program, through the city's department of Community Engagement, is aimed at improving the city's housing stock and the overall quality of life for residents.

The money will allow the city to enter into contracts with neighborhood development corporations, which will interview and hire staff for the initiative.

The aim of the Community Engagement Healthy Home Initiative is to restore all of the city's neighborhoods into safe, healthy and vibrant communities in which to live, work and raise families. Much of that initiative has been underway by non-profit neighborhood development corporations, focusing on development, preservation, safety and new capital investments.

The main roles and responsibilities of the Community Engagement Specialists include:

• Work with the Department of Community Development, Department of Building and Housing, Program Manager, CDC team, and Council member to determine which areas of neighborhood have the most need.
• Conduct property condition surveys to identify external and internal housing issues.
• Research properties, develop property specific engagement, and outreach plans.
• Build trust with residents and landlords, and provide technical assistance. Connect residents and landlords with internal and external housing resources, as well as other programs and services relevant to their needs. Administer paint program in the field with support from the Home Maintenance Program Administrator.
• Conduct classes and forums for homeowners and landlords, with support of Program Manager.

Besides hiring staff, the funding will allow purchasing of software, staff training, and the purchasing of materials, equipment, supplies and services. Ord. No. 469-2021.