For Immediate Release: 11/23/2015 10:52 am
Worcester, MA (November 23, 2015) - The City of Worcester's multi-pronged approach to revitalizing the Union Hill neighborhood is one of six projects in New England to be honored by the National Community Development Association.
NCDA has announced that Worcester has won a 2015 Community Development Achievement Award in recognition of the Union Hill Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.
"I announced the Union Hill Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative in my inauguration speech in January of 2014, and I'm thrilled our efforts are being recognized," said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty. "We knew that turning this neighborhood around would require a whole-of-government approach, and the participation of anchor institutions as well as community members. We would not have been able to move this program forward without the hard work and collaborative efforts of many city employees, as well as Ronald Ceno at Worcester Academy, Mullen Sawyer at Oak Hill CDC and Principal Marie Morse at the Union Hill Elementary School."
Through the Community Development Block Grant program, the City of Worcester is investing $4 million in improvements in public health and safety, housing and code enforcement, and streets and sidewalks. The specific projects include housing rehabs, new sidewalks, road resurfacing and school health partnerships.
"This effort has cut across nearly every department in the City, and involves numerous community partners, all working together to improve the lives of the people of Union Hill," said City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. "I'm honored the City's efforts are being recognized, but the real reward will be better schools, street, sidewalks, homes and neighborhoods for our residents."
The NCDA award honors communities who exemplify outstanding achievement in serving low-to moderate-income residents and/or addressing slum and blight issues, through exemplary use of funds including: Community Development Block Grant, the Home Investment Partnerships, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS and Emergency Solutions Grants program.
Award recipients were selected based on: local impact, measurability of results, the extent to which the project can be sustained over time; innovation; the potential for replicating the project in other communities; collaboration involving local partners and a mix of public and private entities; and to what extent the project has attracted other funding sources.
NCDA is a national nonprofit professional organization for local governments who complete community development work with federal entitlement funds such as CDBG, HOME, etc. The NCDA is comprised of regional chapters and offers technical training, conferences and policy advocacy.
