NeighborWorks America Southern District’s commitment to community stabilization in the foreclosed ravaged state of Florida got a big boost at Paint-the-Town’s VIP Day hosted by Housing Partnership of Northeast Florida (HPNEF) in Jacksonville on April 30. Paint-the-Town is an annual hands-on event where homes are painted and landscaped by private sector and community based volunteers.

NeighborWorks Southern District Director Don Phoenix talks about community stabilization efforts in the region.

NeighborWorks Training Director Paul Kealey, Southern District Director Don Phoenix and Relationship Manager Doug Gaither were on hand to recognize new partnerships between local government, residents and the private sector that is helping lay the groundwork to stabilize and revitalize the East Jacksonville neighborhood.

According to Phoenix, under HPNEF’s leadership, the East Jacksonville neighborhood is emerging as a working model of how network members can successfully stabilize and transform their communities. “This is a true example of how a combination of public, private and community based projects and approaches within a defined neighborhood can really bring about necessary redevelopment and community involvement,” said Phoenix. “Stabilizing communities is truly a coordinated team approach embraced by all community stakeholders.”

Kealey echoed Phoenix’s observation in his keynote address to volunteers, dignitaries and community residents at the Paint-the-Town VIP luncheon. “Neighborhood stabilization cannot be delivered to a community or imposed upon a community; it must be embraced by and involve the community,” said Kealey. “Neighborhood stabilization cannot be accomplished without real visionary leadership, demonstrated here in Jacksonville from top down and from the grassroots up.”

HPNEF partnered with the City of Jacksonville Housing and Neighborhoods Department to perform extensive rehabilitation on 35 homes subsidized by the state for low and extremely low income residents. The finishing touches of the rehabilitation were completed by Paint-the-Town volunteers who spruced up homes with fresh paint, flowers and shrubs.

According to President of HPNEF Harry Hampel, the partnership in East Jacksonville did not end with the City. “We want to have a more overt and inclusive approach in order to have a greater long lasting impact on the neighborhood. So, we created a temporary community center to serve as a location for the burgeoning home owners associations to conduct community outreach,” said Hampel. “We also want various public, private and community based resources to come to the community, rather than the community having to go to them.” So far, Councilman Dr. Johnny Gaffney (District Seven), the Sherriff’s Department, and the Duval County Master Gardeners have all utilized the community center.

The Southern District has worked closely with HPNEF by providing technical assitance and support to ensure the organization is operating at peak performance, as well as providing them with on-going capital and expendable funding. Recently, the Southern District met with Jacksonville county representative to discuss community stabilization strategies.