S.A.L.A.D. and the Small Building Initiative

Potentially the most important topic that has been largely unaddressed is who will be responsible for managing the temporary initiative that has been described, in this publication as well in official Choice Neighborhoods grant applications, as the Small Building Initiative. While the proposed strategic plan will rely on several partners to pursue initiatives that will positively impact the 2 to 4-unit market in Woodlawn, several initiatives must and will be undertaken by dedicated staff with programmatic resources. While the question of who should compose this entity is no less important, this thesis has instead focused on creating the road map that the organization, when chosen, may adopt. Taken as a whole, the recommendations illustrate what may be asked of potential partners and the content of a request for proposals to competitively select the Small Building Initiative administrator that is most capable and willing of fulfilling the role. In the typical framework of planning, this thesis could address the initial existing conditions and strategic planning in order to provide the foundation for actual implementation.

Preservation of Affordable Housing Background

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), a 10-year old national non-profit developer specializing in housing preservation, became active in the City of Chicago in 2007 at the request of tenants of Grove Parc Plaza housing development in the Woodlawn neighborhood. Taking over the financially troubled complex, POAH initiated a multi-phase project for housing redevelopment and formulated a plan for comprehensive neighborhood revitalization. After the redevelopment process was underway, POAH received a Choice Neighborhoods grant of $30 million from HUD that is associated with a total direct investment of $272 million (which excludes some of the first phase’s investment due to timing).

Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, POAH and the City committed not only to improving housing outcomes for the existing residents, but also to implementing case management and addressing broader neighborhood needs. Part of the “Neighborhood” component calls for the creation of a Small Building Fund to promote home-ownership and address the stock of vacant buildings in the neighborhood.

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