INFORMATION HRSR 03-24-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NAHRO's Small Cities Initiative • promotes partnerships at the local level between housing agencies and community development professionals in order to maximize resources and meet the needs of smaller, non-entitlement communities. THE NEED Since 1953, NAHRO has been the place where public housing and community development officials come together, a unique forum in the housing and community development arena. Fifty years ago, the needs of urban and rural America were quite different and suburbs were more common in the minds of planners than the landscape of the country. Today, community re/development is not just an issue for urban communities, but also one for small communities nationwide. As a result, partnerships between local housing agencies and community development agencies are even more critical than they were in 1953. The continuing challenge of meeting local needs, combined with the diversification of funding streams and devolution, today creates a more complex reality. With more and more funds being controlled at the state level, small communities must join together in order to have their own needs heard and addressed. With few staff on hand, they are often challenged to find the solutions that have eluded larger communities with more human and financial capital. NAHRO RESPONDS Recognizing the challenge of addressing the needs of smaller communities, NAHRO has begun implementing a three-phase approach to be instituted over the next three years. This approach is designed to enhance relationships among stakeholders at the local level; improve general knowledge of funding streams outside the purview of a particular agency; and increase opportunities for partnerships resulting in long-term benefits for the local community. Phase One: Information Sharing NAHRO will be providing Initiative presentations at thirteen Regional and Chapter conference during 2003, bringing together local housing agencies and their community development peers. These sessions will focus on the challenges facing non-entitlement communities, and highlight practices that have been successful in gaining access to funding in that geographic area. These special sessions will bring together participants and funders to discuss partnerships and approaches to seeking funds. NAHRO is also working to identify peer mentors, communities that have successfully addressed the challenges facing participants, to share their stories and approaches in these sessions. Participants will leave these sessions with both written and human resources to assist them in thinking about the possibilities and immediate next steps. They will also be provided with information about Phases 2 & 3 of the Initiative. •