Note on Implementation of Counseling and Training Activities

A host of providers for housing counseling, credit counseling and landlord training exist in Chicago, if not close to Woodlawn. As a result, the challenge of implementation rests on developing partnerships to bring the existing opportunities to beneficiaries in Woodlawn and those who may look to relocate Woodlawn. This can be done by advertising the counseling opportunities on Choice Neighborhoods materials and in those of supportive services coordinator Metropolitan Family Services. The Small Building Initiative could also develop an online presence or a regular distribution list of non-profit staff members, residents and officials. The message can be successfully distributed through existing organizational networks. Lastly, the Initiative could sponsor a series of ÒteaserÓ workshops with the Network of Woodlawn, Homeowners Association or the Metropolitan Planning Council that educate the community on issues such as repairing credit and landlord practices, but also introduce existing service providers to the community.

Woo NHS of Chicago to establish a greater presence

This recommendation also calls for the invitation and support of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago to develop a field presence in Woodlawn. As was discussed in Chapter 5, much of the missing home-ownership infrastructure stems from the fact that (in the void created by Shore BankÕs demise) NHS only has a field presence in a subset of Chicago neighborhoods that does not include Woodlawn. Whether it is home-ownership counseling, marketing of home purchase and acquisition & rehabilitation loans, technical assistance for home renovation or housing preservation, NHS has a successful track record of providing these services for two- to four-unit buildings in other neighborhoods. The Small Building Initiative could enter a partnership with NHS whereby a NHS employee is subsidized by the Small Building Fund and spends 50% of their time working out of Woodlawn in space provided by POAH and eventually the Woodlawn Resource Center.

Elevate the Network of Woodlawn

This recommendation involves the positioning of the Network of Woodlawn and its affiliates as the neighborhoodÕs leading community organizations, making sure they are seen as representative of all residents. This would require seeking stakeholders who may be less enthusiastic in their support for the organization and its base of support and directly speaking to their concerns. The most pressing complaint is the level of independence from Dr. Byron BrazierÕs leadership. A board that was sufficiently representative of the entire neighborhood and an organization that was guided by true consensus should provide an enhanced sense of legitimacy. In addition, the organization needs to be sufficiently staffed and resourced, including the hiring of a coordinator of Economic Development whose portfolio will include housing revitalization.