The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) will begin accepting applications for the 2015 MiNeighborhood program Jan. 26 through March 27 from eligible neighborhood associations.
The MiNeighborhood program began in 2013 to support the revitalization, preservation and sustainability of vibrant and historic neighborhoods through technical assistance. MiNeighborhood communities receive significant technical assistance and training including, Board Training, Committee Training, Branding, Place Making, and How to Establish a Historic District, to name a few.
“This program is based on the premise of the Main-Street-Four-Point Approach™ used successfully by the Michigan Main Street Center here,” said Wayne Workman, Acting-Executive Director. “Just as we did with downtowns, we have developed an approach for successful neighborhood revitalization that involves placemaking. The result will be vibrant, thriving places to live.”
Once accepted into the program through the application process, MiNeighborhood works with each targeted neighborhood association and local and statewide organizations to identify and address needs. It connects the area with existing and emerging opportunities, which leverages resources that will help in the revitalization process.
“Our goal is to help further enhance downtowns by promoting positive changes in image, marketability, physical condition and appearance of the participating neighborhoods,” Workman said.
Neighborhood associations must be within one-quarter to one-half mile of a downtown or approved commercial districts to be considered for entry into the program. For other eligibility criteria, visit michigan.gov/mineighborhood.
The four focus areas of the MiNeighborhood program are:
- Organization: Organizing neighborhood stakeholders to get residents working toward a common goal to implement MiNeighborhood, a volunteer-based program.
- Events/Marketing: Creating a positive image of the neighborhood and traditional commercial district or traditional downtown to attract residents, visitors, customers and investors, as well as rekindle community pride.
- Design: Enhancing the neighborhood’s physical environment by capitalizing on its best assets and creating an inviting atmosphere through attractive parks, home improvements, streetscapes and landscaping.
- Neighborhood reinvestment: Create opportunities for residents to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.
Some benefits of the program could be increased taxable values of homes within the neighborhood, a higher move-in rate, increased resident volunteer hours, higher average home prices and a greater number of neighborhood events. It also may decrease crime, foreclosure rates, vacant buildings, vacant lots, blighted properties and landlord/homeowner citations.
The MiNeighborhood program ties in with Governor Snyder’s placemaking efforts to create vibrant communities across Michigan. These efforts are based on studies showing that investing in placemaking creates vibrant neighborhoods, city centers and downtowns, making the state economically stronger.
For information on how to receive an application, visit the MSHDA website, michigan.gov/mineighborhood. Submissions are due by 4 p.m. March 27. Selections will be announced by May 1.
For more details about the program, contact Lori LaPerriere at 517-241-4117 or [email protected].
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