1. Metropolitan Housing Alliance Quadel Consulting/TCG
LITTLE ROCK
CHOICE NEIGHBORHOOD
A Community / Partner Conversation
ALL-HANDS WORKSHOP
Metropolitan Housing Alliance
Quadel Consulting/TCG
Fennell Purifoy
Urban Collage
December 6, 2012
Thursday, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

2. Introduction
Metropolitan Housing Alliance
City Manager

3. “All Hands” Goals
INFORM the community and the stakeholders about CN process
SHARE the summary of existing condition assessment and community needs based on data analysis
SEEK feedback on current issues and vision for the community

4. Evening Agenda The “Choice Neighborhood GPS” Where we’ve been
Why we’re doing this
Who is involved
Where we are
Existing conditions analysis
Survey highlights
Where we’re going
Your insights and help to transform a distressed neighborhood to one that is strong, healthy, viable and safe

5. Where We’ve Been
Latonya Wilson, MHA

6. CN Overview What is Choice Neighborhood? Grants
“Choice Neighborhoods grants transform distressed neighborhoods and public and assisted projects into viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhoods by linking housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs.”
Grants
Planning Grants: comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy or Transformation Plan
Implementation Grants: gather and leverage resources from public and private agencies to support the financial sustainability and implementation of the Transformation Plan

7. The Study Area: Why? Things are happening: But, there are issues:
Promise Neighborhood
Neighborhood Stabilization
Sustainable Communities
Pulaski Empowerment Zone
But, there are issues:
Affected by high crime
Physical distressed
Some areas are isolated
Vacancy rate 3.6 times higher than county
Promise Neighborhood
Pulaski Empowerment Zone
12th Street Corridor
Central Business District
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) 2

8. Promise vs. Choice Central Little Rock Promise Neighborhood
Little Rock Choice Neighborhood
U.S. Department of Education
Grantee: University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR)
Program: Improve the educational and developmental outcomes of children and youth
Goals: Education – Cradle through College to Career
Outcomes: Community Needs Assessment & Asset Mapping Report
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Grantee: Metropolitan Housing Alliance
Program: Transform distressed neighborhoods through housing improvements with appropriate services, schools, public assets, transportation, and access to jobs
Goals: People, Housing, Neighborhoods
Outcomes: Neighborhood Transformation Plan

9. Project Organization Choice Community Council (CCC) Resources
Quadel / TCG (Planning Coordinator)
Fennel Purifoy
Urban Collage
Evaluation
Hunter Bacot, Institute of Government, UALR
MHA Executive Director
MHA CN Coordinator
Working Group Chairs
Choice Community Council (CCC)
People - CSS
Residents
AR Dept. of Health
AR Children’s Hospital
Central AR Library System
HIPPY
LR Community Mental Health
Stevens Community Center
LR Workforce Investment Board
People - Education
Residents
LR School District
Promise Neighborhood Team
UALR
New Futures for Youth
Neighborhood
Residents
City of Little Rock
CATA
MetroPlan
Chamber of Commerce
LR Police Department
ACHANGE
Downtown Partnerships
Pulaski County EZ
Audubon
Housing
Residents
City of Little Rock
Volunteers of America
LR Landbank
LR Community and Housing Advisory Board

10. Stakeholder Engagement
CCC Meeting (March, 2012):
Kick-off / organizational meeting in advance of HUD visit
Resident Meeting (April, 2012):
Included in HUD site visit agenda
CCC Meeting (August, 2012):
Update on CN progress, challenges and future steps
Quotes from the meetings
Neighborhood Association Meetings:
Pine to Woodrow
Forest Hills
Love Neighborhood
Stephens Area Faith
Elm Street
Sunset Terrace
Wright Avenue

11. Resident Responses Concerns Suggested Solutions
Safety for children- bus routes, bullying
Crime (drugs, robbery)
Lack of parental involvement
Transportation
Quality of education/ pace of learning
Need more tutoring
Church/ community support
Too many liquor stores
Increase of home owner’s insurance rates
Abandon Housing
Violence
Prostitution
Alcohol & Liquor Store Ordinances
Police Presence (slow response time)
Information sharing process/ Discriminated info/ Res.
Jobs
Strengthen youth programs/ trade programs
Internal community centers/offices/open space for teaching
Put gym back in school (P.E.)
Community Enrichment classes
More after school programs
More accountability for organizations in places
Sidewalk, street improvement, paved alleys, street lights
Noise ordinance signs
Designated trash drives

12. Our Dialogue: Education
Issues
Quality of education / Pace of learning
Truancy
Lack of kindergarten readiness
Low 3rd grade reading scores
High drop out rates
Challenges
Staff limitations
Lack of tutoring
Lack of (affordable) after school programs
Increasing parental involvement in child(ren)’s education

13. Our Dialogue: Safety Issues Challenges
Robbery, drug activity, prostitution
Increase in domestic violence
Illegal dumping, loitering / squatting
Code Enforcement Issue
Challenges
Number of liquor stores
Food Desert
Medical Desert
Underperforming schools

14. Our Dialogue: Housing Issues Challenges Abandoned / deteriorated homes
Escalating need for maintenance
Lack of energy efficiency
Need for weatherization
Hard to obtain home owner’s insurance
Challenges
Limited household budgets for home improvements
Lack of federal monies for home improvement

15. Key Concerns Education Safety Housing Makes schools more secure
Reduce / eliminate truancy
Improve educational quality
Safety
Many types of crime common
More officers / quicker response times
Housing
Addressing abandoned housing
Providing maintenance support

16. Recent Progress New Children’s Library 12th Street Police Substation
Spring 2013
One of few in the nation
12th Street Police Substation
Increased Safety Presence
Mixed Use
BCD Empowerment Center
Increased capacity to serve community
Residential Treatment Center
UAMS Clinic
Free medical service
Specializes in treating prevalent illnesses within community

17. Where We Are Melodee Melin, Quadel Consulting
John Skach, Urban Collage
Tom Fennell, Fennell Purifoy Architects

18. CN Overview What Are The Components?
People – health and public safety; employment and training; youth and senior services; education and training – cradle to career; high performing schools
Housing – Energy efficient, sustainable, accessible, with internet connectivity; mixed income; physically and financially viable
Neighborhoods – High quality parks and recreational facilities; effective public transit, walking and biking options to connect to work and/or local services; access to economic development and employment opportunities; shopping and neighborhood services; healthy foods.

19. Typical Process
we are here

20. CN Outcomes Create a Neighborhood Transformation Plan
MHA will work collaboratively with its partners, CCC members and stakeholders to construct a Neighborhood Transformation Plan which will include Sunset Terrace, Elm Street Apartments, Central High and Stephens Neighborhoods. This plan is needed to apply for the Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant.
Apply for implementation funds
MHA will apply for a HUD CN Implementation Grant to transform and revitalize the CN community. Submission date: March 2013.
Competition for these grants is intense

21. Target Sites Sunset Terrace - Public housing
Building deficiencies – water leaks, cracked foundation, poor grading
Design deficiencies – unit size below avg. for new construction, inefficient use of space, units lack modern amenities
Elm Street - Section 8
Building deficiencies – roof deck damage, outdated electrical system
Design deficiencies – single point entry to the building, lack of amenities
Sunset Terrace
Elm Street

22. Survey Highlights: Elm Street
29 of 42 households responded
18 have resided 5 years or less
28 are employed
Transportation Mode: Walking (13), Biking (10), and Bus (8) - are the primary means
15 reported no trouble using public transportation but
15 cited transportation as a barrier for persons with disabilities
12 reported transportation as a job barrier

23. Survey Highlights: Elm Street
Job related Training Needs: Small Business Start-up, Computer, Vocational & Job Readiness
Neighborhood needs: Indoor & Outdoor Recreation & Parks
21 Listed the need for Sidewalk, Paving and Curb repair
Doctor’s office, Library, and Laundromat
Public Safety: 14 feel unsafe walking through the area
Top Health needs: Dental & Eye Care Services
Outdoor facilities Needs: Basketball Court, Passive Park, Landscaping, Community garden
A Gym was the top need followed by Parks, Restaurants, Shopping, Computer Center, Banks

24. Survey Highlights: Sunset Terrace
29 of 73 households responded
20 have resided 0-5 years
Health Care is the primary field of employment
Bus is the primary mode of transportation
Barriers to employment: Transportation, Lack of Training or Education
Training Desired: GED Adult Education, Computer, Job Readiness, Vocational Training, Small Business
Neighborhood Needs: Laundromat, Grocery Store, Doctor’s Offices, Library, Drug Store, Restaurants

25. Survey Highlights: Sunset Terrace
Barriers for Persons with Disabilities: Transportation, Living Independently, Cost of Health Care and Prescription Drugs; Special Needs Assistance
25 were Somewhat Happy, Happy or Very Happy with the schools; 18 expressed school safety concerns
15-21 endorsed the need for youth programs including: Safe sex, job training, weekend programs, jobs programs and others
Health Care: provided by Emergency Room and Primary Doctor
Dental service, Nutrition, Exercise and Weight Loss were the top needs
Neighborhood Needs: Sidewalk & Curb Repairs and Street Lighting. Computer Center, Gym, Grocery Stores, Child Care Centers
23 want to return to New Development replacing Sunset Terrace

26. Housing Market Background
CN area is a very low-income submarket with high demand for rent-subsidized housing units
58% of all renters and more than 53% of age 65+ renters in the CN area are cost burdened
Family Rental
General occupancy multifamily rental communities currently exhibit high vacancies
High demand for rent-subsidized housing
Senior Rental
Age-restricted rental housing is very limited and fully occupied
Senior rental housing may be the best opportunity for new development

27. Housing Market: For Sale
Findings
The for-sale market is characterized by low home values and low-sales volume
No homebuilders are currently building in new single or multi-family subdivisions
The CN area’s low-density development pattern complicates designing a project that can have wider positive impacts
Opportunities
Any new for-sale development should be single-family detached in keeping with the CN area
Vacant lots and homes in need of rehabilitation or demolition present the best targets for developing new for-sale housing

28. Housing Market: Conclusions
Projects with greatest likelihood of success over next 5 years:
Rent subsidized senior community
Replacement general occupancy public housing, either on a multifamily site or scattered detached homes or duplexes
Scattered site for-sale project beginning with no more than a dozen units

29. Social Profile Significant population change Limited diversity
Loss of 3,000 residents from to 2010, current population 11,060
Limited diversity
90% African-American
Fairly typical age profile
Biggest age group: 31–45
35% population are children and seniors
26% under 18 (2,879)
11% over 65 (1,221)
Aging population
Depopulation of younger cohorts; seniors trending upward
Population Density
Brown – Higher density
Beige – Lower density

30. Economic Profile Low household income High unemployment
Median HH income is less than $26k in the CN, compared to $47k in Pulaski
33% households live below poverty level (~$22K for a family of four)
High unemployment
Entire area has 768 jobs, 4,599 employees mostly in health care, service, education
Only 57 employees live and work in the CN area
Unemployment rate is between 15% to 22%
Number of Jobs per Household
Grey areas – less than 1 job per HH

31. Housing Condition Methodology Findings Areas of distress:
Windshield survey of residential buildings in four categories
Analysis based on the number of distressed buildings on a typical street block
Findings
8% area with serious issues (5-7 buildings)
15% area with major issues (3-4 buildings)
41% area with minor issues (1-2 buildings)
375 boarded up houses (5% total parcels); most in distressed condition
Areas of distress:
Blocks around Central High
Stephens Neighborhood

32. Vacant Lots Methodology Findings Areas of high vacancy
Analysis based on the number of vacant lots on a typical street block
Findings
6% area with serious vacancies (16-34 lots)
16% area with major vacancies (8-15 lots)
29% area with minor vacancies (4-7 lots)
41% area with few vacancies (0-3 lots)
Current long-term vacancy rate is 17.6
Areas of high vacancy
Stephens Neighborhood
North of Central High

33. Patterns of Disinvestment
Areas of vacant lots and distressed buildings
7% area with serious issues
21% area with major issues
41% area with minor issues
22% area with no issues
375 boarded up houses (5% total parcels); most in distressed condition
Low property values
63% properties valued at less than $50,00
Foreclosures
170 foreclosed properties ( ; blue stars)
Crime
144 violent crime incidents per1,000 residents ( ; circles)

34. Neighborhood Assets General Retail (orange) Civic / Community (blue)
Limited to 12th Street and Asher Avenue corridors
Civic / Community (blue)
Scattered throughout
School, university, hospital,, child care, senior care, health facility, etc.
Food Stores (magenta)
Very limited; underserved by restaurants, groceries, food markets, etc.
Recreational
Fourche Creek watershed
Curran Conway Field / Park
Blue stars indicate major assets

35. Residential development
Plan Opportunities
Improve connectivity
Better connections to Downtown, north of I-630 and west side
Improve pedestrian connections within the CN area
Economic Development
12th Street as a walkable, “Complete Street” with retail, mixed-use, health and cultural anchors
Long-term industrial redevelopment along railroad, commercial redevelopment along Asher Avenue
Housing
Leverage MHA / partner sites
Leverage NSP2 and land bank resources
High-Density
Low-Density
Historic District
Mid-Density
Cultural Anchor
Mixed-use node
Commercial nodes
Health Anchor
Economic development
Residential development

36. Housing Goals Replacement Housing 1 for 1 replacement Existing Units:
Sunset Terrace units
Elm Street units
Total units
Possibly strategies
Development of Land-Bank Units
Additional NSP Development
Equity Sharing Loan Program for Owner-Occupied Rehab
Additional Multi-family development

37. Housing Goals Replacement Housing Possible Scenarios
Veterans Home site redevelopment possibilities
Replacement Housing
Possible Scenarios
40-50 multi-family units
Target elderly and persons with disabilities
Veterans Home or Stephens Elementary Site
56 SRO units
Rehab existing Elm Street Apartments with 2nd story addition
34 in-fill family units
Replace Sunset Family units using cluster approach, locate closer to 12th street amenities
72 new units
36 on vacant half of Elm St site
36 on half of Sunset site

38. Housing Goals Replacement Housing and Redevelopments Parks Playgrounds
Healthy, fresh produce
Physically active lifestyle
Less emphasis on vehicular transportation
Community centers
Closer access to everyday amenities
Afterschool activities
Job training and opportunities

39. Housing Goals Replacement Housing
Possible Scenario – Elm street SRO site
Rehab existing SRO with additional second story
Cluster and scattered approach with additional multi and single family housing
50 SRO units, 33 multi-family units, and 5 single

40. Niti Gajjar, Urban Collage
Where We’re Headed
Niti Gajjar, Urban Collage

41. Building from the Assets

42. What is your “New Year’s Resolution?”
Participants will be given colorful ribbons to write their vision for the COMMUNITY / NEIGHBORHOOD
Write at least 3 RESOLUTIONS that could make a positive difference
2013
FIX MY HOUSE???
LEARN A SKILL???
2013

43. What are the challenges / issues?
Write the overall neighborhood challenges and specific needs related to –
Education
Health & Wellness
Economy / Jobs
Crime & Safety
Housing
Public Services / Transportation

44. Issues Mapping
On a large map of the CN area, identify “hot spot” issues
Things we want to keep (NO CHANGE)
Things that need to go (CHANGE)