The Neighborhood Revitalization Program, a unique and historic program famed throughout the nation, allocates funds to official neighborhood organizations in the City of Minneapolis. Minneapolis has some 50 organizations with Whittier as one of the oldest. Through NRP we are rebuilding and reinvesting into our great city. However, NRP won't be around forever, so we truly appreciate the gratuity of our neighborhood friends.
Neighborhood Revitalization Program
The NRP in Whittier
The Whittier Alliance began creating the Whittier NRP Phase II Action Plan in spring 2001. Inspired by a community volunteer who is also a research professional, a steering committee (of Board members and neighborhood volunteers) created a model for community engagement that combined outreach with data gathering. Community members greeted the task with enthusiasm, creating a neighborhood-specific written survey and focus group questions for the project. From January through March 2002, the Whittier Alliance held 30 focus groups. 15 volunteers were trained in group interview facilitation; each volunteer administered a written questionnaire, led a discussion, and presented a 1-page written report for each group interview. 325 community members were invited to join focus groups through a reverse phone directory - nearly 150 community members participated in group interviews; there were 275 completed surveys.Special care was taken to involve major constituencies in Whittier, including families, youth, renters, homeowners and property owners, business owners, and Spanish- and Somali-speaking community members. Between April - July, there were 10 community meetings to turn the initial data into a plan that will be used to guide the Whittier Alliance and Whittier Neighborhood over the next 10 years.
Summary and Highlights
The Whittier neighborhood, under the direction of the Whittier Alliance, has developed a comprehensive, action-oriented plan from the survey and focus group data. We believe that the plan, created by and for the Whittier community, will help us to be both productive and efficient in our work with the Whittier neighborhood. We also believe that the process by which the plan was developed is inclusive of the Whittier community and as important as the outcomes. Highlights include:- Most comprehensive process: Our Participation Agreement to begin the NRP Action Plan process was hailed by the NRP Policy Board as the most comprehensive outreach and planning process ever attempted by any neighborhood.
- Volunteer-directed and community-based: The entire process was directed by volunteers and supported by professional staff. At every step in plan development, the entire community was informed (in three languages - English, Spanish and Somali) and invited to participate.
- Specific and achievable: The outcome of this process is a plan that we can really accomplish!
- Based on experience: In 1992, Whittier endorsed our first Neighborhood Action Plan under the auspices of NRP. Whittier leveraged the original $8 million to over $27 million invested in our community and used our first Action Plan to achieve dynamic results: a new school, new bookmobile, new homes, a renewed commercial corridor, and much-needed home, commercial and rental property loan programs.
Our Strategy for the Action Plan!
As data from the focus groups and surveys were analyzed, five major priorities emerged to shape our next 10-years: Safety, Youth, Business & Local Economy, Housing and Community Building, as well as Administrative Funds (to implement the plan). The Whittier Alliance is enthusiastic about the possibilities stemming from this broad community-driven plan.Whittier will leverage these funds whenever possible, and will try to balance 1) human capital and bricks and mortar capital and 2) one-time expenditures and revolving funds, as well as building collaborative partnerships with existing community assets. This challenging strategic planning has provided essential direction for future program planning, fundraising, and community efforts, and we are eager to embark on the next stage of development for the Whittier Alliance and the Whittier Neighborhood!
Funding Allocation
Percentage breakdown of the five priorities for funding purposes out of a total of $2.466 million:- Safety - 8.66% = $213,500
- Youth - 8.20% = $202,316
- Business & Local Economy - 7.11% = $175,316
- Housing - 57.34% = $1,414,210
- Community Building - 1.38% = $34,000
- Administrative - 17.32% = $427,104
- Total - 100% = $2.466 million
Over half of all survey respondents reported feeling unsafe on Whittier's streets at night. Phase I include additional community policing and block/apartment clubs. Survey information indicated that people feel safe both day and night the closer they are to home: In home, 85%; In yard, 66%; On streets, 39%.
Youth Strategies Proposed: Engage a youth serving organization to facilitate collaboration of youth and families; Whittier Youth Leadership Council; Neighborhood youth community involvement program; Funding for youth programming and events; Support childcare needs for families with children ages 0-5; Youth arts opportunities; Assessment of Whittier Park priorities and needs; and Whittier Park funding.
Over half of all survey respondents rated the quality of life for children and teens in the neighborhood as "fair" or "poor." Survey information indicated that the most important activities for children ages 0 to 12 and 13 to 18 are: (1) Educational activities, and 2) After school activities.
Business & Local Economy Strategies Proposed: Nicollet Avenue parking plan; Nicollet Avenue pedestrian overlay; Reopening Nicollet Avenue at Lake Street; Gap financing for development; Encourage and support development on commercial corridors; Commercial revolving loan program; Network opportunities for small businesses; Training and professional development for business owners; Strengthen relationships between local business organizations; Research on barriers to employment and available resources; Support educational training for employment opportunities; and Outreach to diverse businesses.
One of the five Phase I goals was "Revitalizing the Business Community." Survey information indicated that 52% of respondents felt that Whittier is an excellent or good place to open a business; and only 4% rated the neighborhood as a poor place to open a business.
Housing Strategies Proposed: Convert rental property to home ownership opportunities; Encourage and develop new owner-occupied townhomes and condominiums; Convert supportive housing that becomes available to homeownership opportunities; Guaranteed mortgage program; Retaining affordability while maintaining structures; Matching deferred loans for exterior improvements to affordable single-family homes; Provide financial incentives for property owners to maintain affordable housing; Assist in finding new owners for Calypso and B-Flat Coops; Expand Whittier's 3R Loan program; Expand Whittier single-family home loan program; Convert smaller units to family size; Historic preservation loan program; and, Historic preservation guide.
Whittier allocated 56.33% of its NRP Phase I funds on housing and housing-related activities and have been advised to expect the same in Phase II. In Phase I, the focus was on a variety of strategies to improve housing in the neighborhood. Survey information indicated that almost half are very satisfied with their current housing situation, and another third are somewhat satisfied; and homeowners are more satisfied than renters (Homeowners: 77% very satisfied; Renters: 42% very satisfied).
Community Building Strategies Proposed: Outreach plan; Limited English proficiency plan; Visual identity for Whittier; Community activities; Welcome kits; Public art; New American acculturation; Intergenerational gardening; Community garden spaces; Community garden club; and Programs for community building. The Community Building focus area emerged largely at a Whittier Workshop through ideas posted by workshop participants. One of the five Phase I goals for the Whittier neighborhood is "Encourage community." Survey information indicated that only 13% of survey respondents say they know people on their block "very well;" and 37% know people on their block "not at all."
Administrative Funds Proposed: Funds will be used for action plan personnel and a portion of general operating expenses that have been budgeted for the 6-year period of 2004 - 2009.
Plan Evaluation: All strategies will be developed into Scope of Services and all Scopes of Services will be evaluated yearly. The plan is subject to change based on action by the Whittier Alliance Board and/or the Whittier Neighborhood. For more information on the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, or to receive a copy of the Whittier Alliance Phase II Action Plan, Contact Us. Or, visit the NRP website at www.nrp.org.