Communicating, Collaborating, and Coordinating to Revitalize New Jersey Neighborhoods

Abstract

Keywords: Community development, neighborhood revitalization, New Jersey, collaboration, communication, tax credits, Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Housing and Community Development Network of New JerseyIntroductionSince 2003, New Jersey corporations, private and public funders, and local community-based organizations (CBOs) have worked with local residents to help organize and implement crosssector revitalization plans throughout the state's low-income neighborhoods. The confluence of large-dollar, multiyear funding sources, access to programmatic and project capital, and technical assistance is creating a tipping point for neighborhood revitalization in the state.According to Diane Sterner, executive director of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, the concentrated activity these initiatives have generated is gaining national visibility. New Jersey is serving as a model for other states looking for creative ways to promote broad-based community development. This activity is noteworthy when one considers that although New Jersey is highly urbanized and densely populated, it is a state comprised primarily of small cities and municipalities. New Jersey also contains a spectrum of extreme wealth - 10 of the wealthiest 100 counties in the United States - as well highly concentrated poverty; the state ranks 11th in the nation in income disparity. Equally noteworthy is the bipartisan support for the state's tax-credit funding program, which has spanned the administrations of four governors with a range of political perspectives.These comprehensive revitalization initiatives incorporate the vision and vitality of a neighborhood's residents and stakeholders, encourage public and private investment, leverage corporate resources, and produce measurable results. The activities focus on implementing prioritized strategies that address the human, physical, and social-capital needs of a community. It is anticipated that these coordinated activities will yield new and engaged leadership, stronger organizations, heightened collaboration among funders and service providers, and additional neighborhood assets such as housing, commercial activity, and family wealth. Cumulatively, these newfound capacities will lead to stronger neighborhoods with a higher quality of life for all residents.The effort has been catalyzed by the complementary funding and approach to revitalization provided by the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation (WFRF) and Community Development Corp., and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program (NRTC). Shepherding this effort is the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network), a statewide membership organization of more than 250 groups and individuals. The Network provides targeted technical assistance, educational programs, and advocacy for the state's locally based nonprofit organizations pursuing neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and housing strategies across New Jersey. As illustrated in Figure 1, WFRF and NRTC have supported specific initiatives and projects in 26 neighborhoods in 14 cities, funded by $16 million in grants from WFRF and $44 million in NRTC investments from 24 corporations. In addition, $4 million in NRTC investments is available to support projects that are being identified.The Network played a key role in designing and advocating for the enactment of the NRTC, helping its members tap both of these funding sources through outreach, brokering introductions, training, and technical assistance.Over the course of this collaboration, the partners and grantees have identified eight key benefits of a shared approach, which will be explored in greater depth through this article:1. access to program and project capital,2. ability to focus on the long-term objective,3. heightened public visibility and credibility,4. …