Dubuque initiative tries to take housing assistance to new level [Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque, IA)]

Telegraph_Herald, 2013-03-11

Dubuque at Home is what Housing and Community Development Director Alvin Nash is calling his signature initiative.

The concept is based on connecting

residents using department services with the community at-large through volunteerism, work-force training and work.

It involves establishing self-sufficiency groups within the department and better coordination of the department's

resources.

"The Family Self-Sufficiency and the Circles initiative are key," Nash said. "Traditionally, we have not put enough emphasis on family and individual responsibility. It's about providing people with rental assistance, but it's also about moving people from Point A to Point B. We have to inspire and require and say to people, 'Get involved in the community.'"

Combining the resources of the Family Self-Sufficiency Office and Circles participants is how Nash plans to create self-

sufficiency teams to set a higher bar, not only for his department but for the individuals in the programs.

"We want to push volunteerism. We want to push work-force development, and we are trying to create a safety task force within that group of people in our program," Nash said. "I think the idea is it's a community that has its own issues. There is a lot more to this program than there has ever been."

On Feb. 15, a letter from U.S. Housing & Urban Development dampened the mood. The agency informed the city that funding for three Family Self-Sufficiency coordinators had been awarded in error. HUD was therefore cutting funding from $178,260 to $63,478, funding for one full-time position.

"HUD deeply regrets this error and the ensuing complications," wrote Cedric A. Brown, of HUD's grants management center.

The city has applied for administrative funds to maintain three positions through December.

"We finally got funded for three, and we proceeded to hire the other two, then we get this letter saying, 'Whoops, sorry, there has been an error in the calculation.' It's not just that we hired people who left jobs and came, but we really need these programs, and it

really will dramatically help turn around some of the things we are trying to do to impact people in the program."

Nash is awaiting the ruling on whether the administrative funds will be awarded to Dubuque.

Another aspect of the plan is to promote economic development in the Washington Neighborhood. The city plans to hire an

additional economic development assistant in fiscal year 2014, who will serve as director of the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation. The details of the position still are being discussed, but board Chairman Leo Hickie said it will attend to the mission and goals of the board.

"The main goal right now is to assist in the deployment of $225,000 allocated for a facade improvement program," Hickie said. "The focus and intent is to have those funds deployed within the Central Avenue corridor between 20th and 14th streets, basically the area surrounding the Engine House at 18th and Central."

Renovations to the former firehouse were completed last year and now houses Head Start and health programs.

"We're hoping the project sparks momentum and motivates some neighboring property owners to put some time, effort, energy and funds into their buildings and improve their facades," Hickie said.

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