The
Howard University Center for Urban Progress’s community
development projects represent a broad range of human development
and economic development activities centered on disadvantaged
areas and peoples locally and nationally. These projects
are focused on enhancing the physical, economic, social and
educational assets of low- and moderate- income areas and
developing stronger neighborhoods and self-sufficient individuals.
The Center’s community development projects include
activities in the areas of affordable housing, business and
economic development, computer/technology training, employment
training, education, youth development, community service/engagement,
commercial revitalization, and health. Below is a brief description
the Center’s community development/building projects.
The
2005 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant is
a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development to transform 907-909 Florida Avenue
located in Northwest Washington, DC into a community learning
center; contribute to the revitalization of Mary Church
Terrell’s house; update the Baker’s Dozen facility
with accessible features; and support the Crispus Attucks
community park.
The
2006 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant is
a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development to support Manna, Inc. rehabilitation
of a 12-unit affordable condominium project in Northwest
Washington, D.C.; support a residential façade rehabilitation
program in the Deanwood/Burrville neighborhoods in Ward
7 in Northeast Washington, DC.; establish a microloan program
to businesses in the Shaw neighborhood; extend a pilot
training program currently implemented under the HUD Universities
Rebuilding America Program in New Orleans to the Lower
Ninth Ward, training homeowners and contractors in environmentally-safe
renovation and repair work practices; remodel the Community
Learning Center to create a single large classroom suitable
for enlarged community classes; and remodel the interior
of the Mary Church Terrell home and strengthen associated
structures for public use, making the historic structure
conform more precisely to its historic vernacular.
The
Center for the Advancement of Service Learning seeks
to enlist more students in service in the community through
service-learning courses, partnerships with service agencies,
and the designation of two residence halls as service-learning
dormitories.
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Research Project is supported by a grant from
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with community-based
and faith-based organizations in the neighborhoods near Howard University
to understand the range of models of lead hazard control, and then to develop
and conduct an innovative pilot program to reduce health hazards from lead
paint. The program seeks to inform families of the risk of lead poisoning
to their children, both born and unborn. It provides multiple opportunities
for families to learn all they need to know to achieve primary prevention
of lead poisoning.
The
Community Development Leadership Program (CDLP) is
an interdisciplinary academic program that requires extensive
collaboration with chairs and faculty members of different
departments and the recruitment of student participants.
The CDLP consists of two interrelated components—the
University-Wide Committee on Community Development in the
Curriculum, and the Undergraduate Minor in Community Development
and the Community Development Internship Program (CDIP).
The
Community Development Work Study Program places
M.A. urban economics and public administration students
into internships in the field of community building, in
CBOs and local government with support from the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development.
The
D. C. Small Business Development Center at the Center for
Urban Progress is part of the DC SBDC Network,
which works in partnership with the US Small Business Administration,
local universities and community development organizations
to provide one-on-one counseling, management and technical
assistance and specialized business training events to
small business in all stages of small business development.
The Fair Housing Initiative is developing a curriculum leading to a Certificate
in Fair Housing Law and Investigations for students at Howard University
and for personnel in community-based organizations engaged in fair housing
investigations. Field placements in community-based organizations are an
integral component of the curriculum. A mechanism for referring fair housing
complaints through community-based fair housing organizations to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development for consideration and action
is a component of the program.
The
HOPE VI Evaluation Project is a five year
project to study, assess, evaluate, and assist the Community
and Supportive Services Programs (CSSP) to strengthen families
in several DC public housing developments. The purpose
of the CSSP programs is to help existing residents qualify
to return to their communities after HOPE VI demolition
and rebuilding.
Neighborhood
Networks is a partnership between the Howard
University Community Technology Center and the DC Housing
Authority to create technology centers at two public housing
sites, Garfield Terrace and Park Morton. These centers
have as their purpose to help public housing residents
become more self-sufficient through enhanced human capital.
The
Twenty-First Century Community Learning Center is
supported by a five-year grant to implement an educational
technology program at Cardozo High School. Using a learning
community model to realize self-directed education, students,
parents and faculty have the opportunity to access and
explore computer technology in a spirit of fun and collaboration.
High school students develop academic discipline, project
management skills, and a love of learning by exploring
the digital arts: music, graphic design, web work, video,
and the spoken word.
The
Universities Rebuilding America Program (URAP) is
a U.S. Department of HUD funded project in which Howard
University and the Coalition for Environmentally Safe Communities
has partnered with Dillard University in New Orleans to
address housing needs of low- and moderate-income (LMI)
persons in the Treme, Mid-City, and Gentilly areas of New
Orleans. The partnership team will develop and implement
two training programs in Environmentally Safe Renovation
and Rehabilitation Work Practices (ESRRWP) for housing,
one program for residents and one for businesses. These
activities will include a “train-the-trainer” component
for Dillard University nursing faculty and staff to ensure
sustainability. CUP will also provide subsidies for 25
housing units occupied by LMI persons to implement environmentally
safe rehabilitation work, with oversight from the project
team. CUP will also provide GIS, analysis, and planning
support for Dillard University as it participates in the
rebuilding process of New Orleans and especially in the
three target neighborhoods.
The
Workforce Development Training Program (WDTP) provides
training in high and medium skilled occupations to unemployed
and under-employed residents of the District of Columbia.
The program currently offers a 16-week training program
in Microsoft Office which leads to the MOUS certification,
thus preparing DC residents to pursue employment as Office
Clerks and Administrative Assistants. The training takes
place at the Howard University Computer Technology Center,
a twelve-station lab equipped with the latest Microsoft
software and Internet access.
