VI.  NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY

91.215 (g) Jurisdictions are encouraged to identify locally designated areas where geographically targeted revitalization efforts are carried out through multiple activities in a concentrated and coordinated manner. In addition, a jurisdiction may elect to carry out a HUD-approved neighborhood revitalization strategy that includes the economic empowerment of low-income residents with respect to one or more of its areas. If HUD approves such a strategy, the jurisdiction can obtain greater flexibility in the use of the CDBG funds in the revitalization area(s) as described in 24 CFR part 570, subpart C. This strategy must identify long-term and short-term objectives (e.g., physical improvements, social initiatives and economic empowerment), expressing them in terms of measures of outputs and outcomes the jurisdiction expects to achieve in the neighborhood through the use of HUD programs.

The city has a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy (NRS) approved in January 2006 which covers census tracts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. The NRS strategies, implementation plan and performance benchmarks are included below; copies of the entire NRS are available online and at the Community & Economic Development Office.

Strategies:

A. Stimulate and support business growth/development on Riverside Ave., Smart Growth area, North Street area and downtown.

Implementation Plan:

1. Aggressively market the RC and Downtown tax incentives
2. Continue the Smart Growth initiative
3. Support small business development with technical and financial assistance
1. Generally
2. For particular groups – refugees and women
3. To meet identified local needs (i,e., a hardware store, grocery store)
4. Support business development through the availability of telecommunications infrastructure (Burlington Telecom)

Benchmarks:

• 30 new business start-ups assisted in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 6 businesses per year
• 30 businesses retained/expanded in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 6 businesses per year
• 200 jobs created/retained in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 40 jobs per year
• 20 redeveloped brownfields sites in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 5 brownfields per year
• 100,000 sq. ft. of new/renovated commercial/industrial space in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 20,000 sq. ft. per year

B. Support workforce development and asset building opportunities for low and moderate-income residents.

Implementation Plan:

1. Increase EITC marketing and the availability of free tax prep sites.
2. Work with the National League of Cities on its Family Asset Building initiative, with the Annie E. Casey Foundation on its Rural Family Economic Success initiative, and with the community partnership on the Women in Poverty / Circles of Support initiative.
3. Continue to support the Champlain Housing Trust and its NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, the Burlington Housing Authority’s Section 8 HomeOwnership Program, Habitat for Humanity projects and other homeownership opportunities.
4. Support job training opportunities such as those offered by ReCycle North and entrepreneurial training opportunities such as those offered by the Women’s Small Business Program.

Benchmarks:

• Each year, free tax preparation sites will reach at least 20 first-time EITC filers
• Over 50% of EITC claimants citywide are not paying for tax preparation each year
• 60 LMI households assisted into homeownership in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 12 households per year
• 5 job training programs serving Target Area residents over the course of the designation, or at least 1 program per year
• 20 LMI Target Area residents assisted through entrepreneurial training programs over the course of the designation, or 4 residents per year

C. Create and preserve decent, safe and affordable housing in the Target Area.

Implementation Plan:

1. Continue to offer accessibility modification, emergency repair, free paint and other housing rehab programs in the Target Area.
2. Assist the development of new affordable housing in the Target Area.
3. Continue to reduce lead hazards in housing in the Target Area.

Benchmarks:

• 300 new units of affordable housing in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 60 units per year
• 200 units of rehabbed housing in the Target Area (other than lead remediation) over the course of the designation, or 40 units per year
• 350 units with lead remediation in the Target Area over the course of the designation, or 70 units per year

D. Enhance a suitable living environment in Target Area neighborhoods through infrastructure improvements and public safety and quality of life organizing efforts.

Implementation Plan:

1. Continue to support the Burlington Neighborhood Project.

Benchmarks:

• 38 existing street associations in the Target Area supported each year
• 3 new associations a year created in the Target Area

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