RHCDA

We Build Strong and Healthy Neighborhoods

Neighborhood Stabilization Program seminar hosted by RHCDA PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 06 May 2009 00:00
Back on April 30th, RHCDA hosted a seminar on one of the federal government's newest and most important housing programs, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, or NSP. This special NSP appropriation will enable states, cities and their partners, including private developers and nonprofit CDCs, to acquire and rehabilitate vacant, abandoned and foreclosed homes for homeownership or rental in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline in value of neighboring homes. The half-day event brought together over 20 area CDC professionals to the campus of Harris Stowe State University where participants were able to learn more about the NSP program and how it will be implemented here locally.

In addition to the program material presented by RHCDA staff, the seminar included a panel discussion of NSP with Stephen Acree, President and Executive Director of RHCDA, and special invited guests Jill Claybour, Acting Executive Director of the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration and Debbie Irwin, Housing Counselor and Foreclosure Prevention Coordinator with Beyond Housing, Inc.

Participants were able to gain a better understanding of the objectives and eligible activities under the federal program in addition to the local priorities for both the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County.

NSP funding is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and treated as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, though with differences from the normal CDBG provisions. Under the $3.92 billion federal program, Missouri received nearly $43 million in NSP funding from HUD, while the City of St. Louis received approximately $5.6 million and St. Louis County nearly $9.3 million. Of Missouri’s portion of NSP funding, the State has allocated $2.3 million to the City of St. Louis and $6.3 million to St. Louis County. In Metro East, St. Clair County, Illinois received approximately $2.3 million from HUD.

 

RHCDA is Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance, a nonprofit organization that creates and supports the alliances that make smart, sustainable neighborhood revitalization possible in the St. Louis region.

"We are really glad to have RHCDA as a resource.  We truly value their experience and commitment to foster redevelopment in our city, especially in neighborhoods that would not otherwise receive the financing or the support to make it happen on their own." 

- Barbara Geisman, Executive Director for Development, Office of the Mayor, City of St. Louis