Team Tools

 

Technical Assistance
Resources
Training/Funding Opportunities
Evaluations

Technical Assistance (GSPIA)

Resources

Blueprint Communities participants are offered a number of resources to assist them in developing and implementing their community revitalization plans. Check back periodically for additional resources.

  • The Community Revitalization Desktop Guide provides a comprehensive model for community revitalization. Offered by the PA Department of Economic & Community Development, the Guide can be of use to communities in any state: http://www.newpa.com/default.aspx?id=479. 
  • DataPlace by KnowledgePlex offers a one-stop source for data about your community, or any other place in the U.S. This site provides up-to-date information from several sources, including customized maps.

    Through DataPlace, you can:

      • Look up demographic, economic, housing, and mortgage lending data from US Census, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and other data sets
      • Find key statistics on any region in the US through maps, charts, tables and rankings

    It's a great resource for helping you to compile information for creating your community strategy.

  • 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians by focusing on promoting policies and actions that will revitalize cities, boroughs and older suburbs; preserve farmland and rural resource lands; conserve our natural, heritage and fiscal resources; and improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.

Training/Funding Opportunities

From time to time, various institutions, agencies or organizations offer opportunities for funding, program participation, advisory assistance or other support. As we become aware of them, we'll post them here. Please let us know about any opportunities you come across, whether or not you've actually taken advantage of them.

  • Funding: The 2008 Federal Community Stabilization Grants. An October 3, 2008 online chat featuring strategies to plan, prepare and target these funds to address the neighborhood impacts caused by foreclosed and vacant properties. To listen, see: http://www.knowledgeplex.org/xchat.html.

    The 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 provides $3.9 billion in supplemental CDBG dollars to local governments for the acquisition, demolition, and rehabilitation of foreclosed and abandoned homes. HUD must issue program regulations within 60 days (estimated on or before October 1st) and disperse funds within 90 days of enactment. Local governments must make funding commitments within 18 months and to expend all funds within 5 years. Such a tight time frame makes it difficult for community development/housing agencies and their community development partners to develop effective plans and strategies on how to best use these funds to stabilize those neighborhoods under distress from foreclosures, property flipping and subprime lending.
  • Funding: The Wachovia Regional Foundation is a private foundation that aims to improve the quality of life for children and families living in low-income neighborhoods in New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Pennsylvania. The Foundation concentrates its resources on the creation and implementation of resident-driven neighborhood plans. For more information, see: http://www.wachovia.com/inside/page/0,,139_414_431,00.html.

Evaluations

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