CLICD's Focus Groups' Project Descriptions

The project descriptions that follow represent work that CLICD did with nonprofit groups in Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and nonprofit groups in southern California. Each group was trained by CLICD on HUD's Community 2020 software.

Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) CTAC strengthens the structure of community organizations and the skills of community leaders through education, professional guidance, financial systems, technical support, and extensive consultant network and an information center. CTAC is using the software to: Assist the Millvale Planning Team to complete a physical survey of all buildings in the borough of Millvale. Create a "Starter Kit" containing maps and demographic information to be used in the Neighborhood Planning Initiative (NPI). NPI assists neighborhoods in assessing the condition of their neighborhoods, articulate strategies for change and identify resources.

East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI) ELDI's mission is to build the community of East Liberty in partnership with community residents. ELDI is focused on improving the housing stock in the community and improving the business district. ELDI is using the software to: Map the condition and use of residential and retail property for use in a Community Planning Process. Map the current location and type of day-care facilities located in the neighborhood. ELDI is working in partnership with other community groups as part of the Early Childhood Initiative that assists low-income families find access to quality early childhood programs.

Just Harvest Just Harvest provides advocacy and community education around anti-hunger issues. It also provides leadership development for low-income community residents and organizes around food assistance, poverty, and welfare issues. Just Harvest is using the software to: Analyze trends and information related to the role of food in Allegheny County's economy and promote food-related commerce as a component of local economic development strategy. Support an organizing campaign to persuade the Manchester Charter School's Board to enroll the school in the National school meals programs.

Mon Valley Initiative (MVI) MVI is a coalition of CDC's that brings together financial and technical resources to: renovate and construct affordable housing, develop businesses, create jobs, develop commercial properties, rebuild commercial districts and improve the quality of life in the Mon Valley. MVI is using the software to: Develop maps and analyze data in support of MVI's application to receive CDFI certification and become a direct lender to small manufacturing and retail businesses.

Mon Valley Providers Council (MVPC) The primary activity of MVPC is to bring together over 60 human service providers in the region to collectively address the needs of Mon Valley residents. MVPC is using the software to: Document the employment and economic indicators in the Mon Valley. Map early childhood services of all types to discover existing gaps in services and to provide better linkages between services and families.

Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Groups (PCRG) PCRG is a consortium of 29 community groups and 13 financial institutions that is dedicated to community revitalization and the production of affordable housing. PCRG is using the software to: Analyze Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data along with mapping the openings, closings and consolidations of bank branches in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Map the location of ATM machines in retail establishments and stand-alone locations, and map the location of bank branches within supermarket and drug store chains.

California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) CCRH advocates for affordable housing, provides technical assistance to community groups, and educates the public on low-income housing issues. CCRH will be using the software to: Show the impact of multifamily FHA mortgage prepayment and project-based Section 8 terminations to at-risk residents and public officials with the goal of changing regulations. Support a funding proposal to HUD to provide training and outreach to public housing project residents.

Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC) CVHC is a community development corporation that builds affordable housing through the Self-Help method. CVHC will be using the software to: Map their completed projects overlaid on demographic information. Map CVHC projects that are in the pre-development stage to determine nearby community resources, transportation and schools.

Los Angeles Community Design Center (LA/CDC) The Los Angeles Community Design Center is a non-profit planning and housing development firm, which works with groups in low-income neighborhoods. LA/CDC will be using the software to: Evaluate the need, interest and feasibility for developing affordable housing within the service areas of two Southern California hospitals. Support a neighborhood revitalization strategy in a low-income neighborhood where LA/CDC is rehabilitating a housing complex.

Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) SHE does self-help housing development, housing rehabilitation, sewer and water technical assistance and weatherization assistance. SHE will be using the software to: Assist with the application process for and assess the effectiveness of the CDBG States and Small Cities program in Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Tulare and Kings Counties.

Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH) SCANPH provides technical assistance and training workshops, maintains an information clearinghouse and does research on issues affecting their membership. SCANPH will be using the software to: Coordinate an information clearinghouse of home buying counseling and purchase opportunities.