We Support “Neighborhoods First”

bamercdcgolf — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:07:44 +0000

Neighborhood First, is a pilot initiative in two San Diego neighborhoods; Logan Heights/Memorial. BAME Renaissance Community Development Corporation (BAME CDC) is one of many organizations committed to “Neighborhood First”. By supporting our “Charity Golf Classic”, we are able to pursue and support projects such as this.

The purpose of the initiative:

Comprehensiveness: Neighborhood dynamics are complex, with issues and challenges inextricably woven together. With Neighborhoods First Quality of Life Planning, the social, economic and civic fabric of a neighborhood is planned and developed hand-in-hand with physical development. By addressing neighborhood challenges and opportunities in a strategic, coordinated, and comprehensive fashion, Neighborhoods First looks to catalyze sustainable neighborhood improvement.

Stakeholder Driven: Neighborhoods First adheres to an abiding conviction that neighborhood residents are experts on the challenges facing their communities. Moreover, these same residents, when provided an opportunity and the appropriate resources, are best-positioned to chart the course for a better future.

Action Oriented: Neighborhoods First maintains a keen eye toward implementation – identifying tangible projects that are guided by a collaborative vision, achievable in the near term, and accountable to a responsible party committed to seeing it through. Accountability is coupled with access to resources like early action grants, technical assistance and loan financing to inspire action.

Originally home to a sizable African American community, Logan Heights and Memorial are now more than 85 percent Latino. Cultural appeal, relatively affordable housing, and proximity to jobs and transit lured thousands of Latino residents back to these neighborhoods after the disruption and displacement caused by the construction of the Coronado Bay Bridge in the 1960s. However, comprising 10 percent of the population, the African American community maintains a significant presence in these neighborhoods, with many traditionally African American churches serving as important institutions in the area.

Reasons To Build Our Community:

bamercdcgolf — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:44:18 +0000

While some communities have seen tremendous growth and development, others have been left out. Communities and neighborhoods that house low to moderate income, immigrants, and predominately minority people have been by-passed. In some neighborhoods, housing stock that was once vibrant has become victimized by age and changing demographics and has given way to negligence, blight, and poverty.

Having identified demographic patterns and trends that increase the need for upgraded and increased volumes of affordable housing stock, BAME works to revitalize those neighborhoods through:

Creating and maintaining quality affordable housing which enhances the historic fabric of the neighborhood
Providing a successful Home Ownership Education and Counseling program
Beautifying and enhancing public areas and facilities, and upgrading the efficiency of the neighborhood’s infrastructure
Facilitating rehabilitation of selected properties
Building affordable single-family residences and other properties