National Community Development Week April 6-11

Programs Strengthen Neighborhoods

The City of Madison joins municipalities from around the country to celebrate National Community Development Week. The week provides a time to highlight the tangible results of the federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program. These programs have helped families and neighborhoods in Madison for many years.

"The City of Madison is proud to be a partner in the development of affordable housing, expanding jobs for lower income individuals, and improving neighborhood stability with Madison’s residents and non-profit community," said Mayor Paul Soglin. "These federal funds have resulted in significant improvements to our city."

HOME funds supported the acquisition and substantial rehabilitation of affordable rental units in Southwest Madison. Thus far, over 20 of the most challenged property units were purchased and rehab is completed or underway by Common Wealth Development, for rent to low-income households. Another 12 units are planned for acquisition and rehab in 2015-16 to further stabilize the neighborhood. In addition to improving housing, the City has worked with residents to create the Meadowood Neighborhood Center and a Southwest Partnership employment project as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the neighborhood and improve the economic situation of lower-income households. Common Wealth also utilizes a community organizer to connect its housing component with employment and training as part of a long-term strategy to stabilize the neighborhood.

CDBG funds have supported the operations of 12 Neighborhood Centers strategically located in neighborhoods throughout the City. Neighborhood Centers strengthen community cohesion and deepen neighborhood stability.

CDBG and HOME funds were used to provide loans to almost 50 lower income homeowners to assist them in purchasing their first home, which in turn increases the stability of neighborhoods. CDBG funds provided eight loans to Madison entrepreneurs to start or expand businesses resulting in the creation of over 20 new jobs.

The FEED Kitchen Incubator developed by the Northside Planning Council was supported by CDBG funds. The incubator currently provides five commercial kitchen spaces that are available for rent by micro-enterprise businesses, existing food businesses that need additional space, casual or one-time users. The incubator also house two job training programs that assist individuals in gaining a variety of food processing skills that are beneficial for obtaining a full time job in the food industry.