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Westland, MI - The City of Westland Department of Housing & Community
Development has been chosen as a recipient of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Awards of Merit: Community Revitalization for its Jefferson Barns Community Vitality Center. The official presentation of the award took place in Portland, OR. on July 15 during NAHRO's Summer Conference.
"The NAHRO Awards of Merit Program was created to give national recognition to NAHRO Member organizations that have found innovative ways of making a difference in the communities and the lives of the people they serve," saidNAHRO President Steve Merritt.
The Jefferson Barns Community Vitality Center (JBCVC) is a key component in the City's efforts to revitalize the Historic Norwayne District. Built during WWII, Norwayne is Westland's most economically-challenged neighborhood. Approximately 5.5% of the City's population lives in Norwayne, 85% of students qualify for free lunches, and 12% of the Westland Police Department's calls are dispatched to Norwayne. Mayor Wild designated the Norwayne revitalization as a priority. The City used local and federal NSP, CDBG and HOME funds for renovation, demolition, green space, roads, sidewalks, infrastructure, and park improvements. The JBCVC is the largest investment in Norwayne.
"I was born in Norwayne;" commented Mayor William R. Wild. "This was an exciting project for me to see this former school building undergo a rebirth to the Jefferson Barns Community Vitality Center that has served as the hub of community activity in the Norwayne neighborhood;" he continued. "We are honored to accept this award on behalf of the City and I would like to thank Housing and Community Development Director, Joanne Campbell as well as her entire staff for their tireless efforts on this project and for the Norwayne Communtiy."
"It is a wonderful opportunity to work on this project with so many dedicated people and organizations, " commented Housing and Community Development Director Joanne Campbell. "Almost every week another group is calling to schedule an new class or activity. This has a significant impact on the revitalization of the Norwayne community."
"This program celebrates achievement and honors the work that our members do each and every day to ensure a safe and affordable place to call home. Showcasing the efforts of housing agencies and agency officials through NAHRO's Awards of Merit" said, NAHRO Acting CEO John Bohm.
"We hope that the general public, community leaders, private industry and government itself will become inspired to reform and enhance existing housing and community development programs and in addition create new ground-breaking programs and services to meet the housing needs our nation's most vulnerable citizens."
The 2016 NAHRO Awards of Merit recognize outstanding achievement in housing and community development programs in five categories. Administrative Innovation recognizes innovative methods in areas such as maintenance, community relations, and interagency cooperation. Program Innovation - Affordable Housing includes special programs for homeownership, public/private partnerships, and innovative financing. Program Innovation - Community Revitalization includes innovative use of programs in areas such as economic development, neighborhood preservation, and creative financing. Program Innovation - Resident and Client Services includes innovative use of programs such as special activities for children, families, and the elderly, anti-drug programs, social services, and self-sufficiency. Project Design includes efforts such as new housing design, housing modernization, enduring design, and landscape design.
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For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.
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