Annual report (1975)

              RESIDENTS PLAN FOR THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS
The Division of Current Planning has worked and is
working closely with the Neighborhood Associations, to
assure that the city is planned by its residents, not for them.
In 1975, special concentration was placed on the four
neighborhoods involved in the Neighborhood Care
program. Staff members have begun the process of making
citizen participation not only an important part of the
program, but a necessary ingredient to the ultimate success
of the program.
Community Development and Planning contacted each
of the Neighborhood Associations from the four target
neighborhoods before the rehabilitation program ever
began. Current Planning began working with each to
develop programs which were suited to the individual needs
of the neighborhoods. This planning relationship has
continued throughout the first year of the program, and will
result in a "sketch plan" for each of the four areas. These
plans identify each neighborhood's perceived problems and
needs, appraise its strengths and weaknesses, document
economic and environmental conditions, and propose
programs and solutions, including a scheduling of rapital
improvements and other priority needs.
The sketch plans then become working tools in planning
for the neighborhood. The plans determine policy for any
decisions that may affect the neighborhood. The Plan
Commission has accepted the West Central Sketch Plan,
and their decisions for that neighborhood are made in
accordance with the plan. The plans will be followed when
any changes or improvements are made in the
neighborhoods.
As this process has continued throughout the year, with
more than 150 meetings between staff and members of
these associations, it has been expanded to include several
other neighborhoods not included in the first year of the
Community Development Program. While these additional
neighborhoods mayor may not be included in subsequent
years of the Community Development Program, the
organizational work which has been done to strengthen
these groups, the identification of their problems and needs,
and the recommendations to apply other resources to these
areas, such as General Revenue Sharing Funds and other
local monies, have all made the Neighborhood Planning
Process an integral part of municipal government.
NEIGHBORHOOD CARE
REHABILITATION PROCEDURES
1. An inspector, from the Office of Minimum Housing,
inspects the house.
D nless there is an immediate health or safety
problem, he does not discuss any deficiencies
with the property occupant.
The inspector won't condemn a property
until Neighborhood Care staff have had an
opportunity to work with the owner to fix the
house.
The owner may work with Neighborhood
Care, or he may work directly with the
Housing Inspector to be sure that all
required work is done so the house is brought
up to Code.
2. The Neighborhood Counselor gets a copy of the
inspection report, and meets with the owner to explain
about financial aid and technical assistance. Even if the
house does meet Code, there may be financial aid to
help the owner make improvements.
3. The Neighborhood Care Rehabilitation Technician
goes through the home with the owner, explains the
Code deficiencies, suggests ways to correct the
violations and make improvements. The Technician
prepares a "rough" cost estimate.
4. The Neighborhood Care Financial Counselor visits
with the homeowner, and helps fill out the financial
forms and preliminary loan application. The "rough"
cost estimate is used to help determine whether the
homeowner has the ability to pay for the work he wants
to do.
5. A preliminary financial package is discussed with the
owner. He decides what work he wants done.
6. The Rehabilitation Technician prepares contract
specifications for the work, and gets bids from
contractors, including any contractors the owner
suggests. He discusses these bids with the owner.
Owner selects a contractor. A contract is prepared
between the owner and the contractor, fixing the work
to be done and establishing the cost. The contractor
signs the contract.
7. The financial facts are verified and a final loan
application is prepared. When the loan is approved, the
owner signs the loan note and the contract. Money
from the City is put into an escrow account so the
contractor can be paid when the work is completed and
inspected by the Rehabilitation Technician.