Hope VI

Three questions most frequently asked by affected residents and community stakeholders in connection with HUD’s HOPE VI projects are: (1) What role do we have in the development of our community; 2) How can we take this opportunity to better the lives of our residents and neighborhood; and (3) How do we work together with the developers, the housing authority and all the community stakeholders to ensure that all voices are heard?

Collectively, we at Bessie Swann & Associates, LLC have been involved in HOPE VI projects all around the country, including Washington, D.C. We understand very well that the answers to these questions are not always easy, and the answers depend much in part on the parties involved. Often times, however, the answers to these questions result in frustration, confusion and a sense of helplessness on the part of many residents and community stakeholders. While HUD’s policy requires public housing authorities to involve residents and the broader community in the planning, proposed implementation, and management of the revitalization plan, many residents feel excluded from the process. In fact, and in some cities, frustrated residents have resorted to litigation to prevent HOPE VI projects from progressing. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the reason is lack of communication and lack of information.

Our HOPE VI Community Development practice focuses on two areas crucial to the success of HOPE VI projects: 1) resident and community involvement and 2) community and supportive services. We work with the HOPE VI program managers, whether they are the public housing authority or the developer, to ensure that these two areas are addressed successfully. Our objective is to: 1) lessen the workload of the HOPE VI Program Manager by acting as its principle public relations coordinator for resident and community involvement and 2) help affected residents and community members understand the HOPE VI process, to meaningfully participate, and to open their eyes to the opportunities that do in fact exist in HOPE VI projects, especially through the community and supportive services program.

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