
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 3, 1994                   TAG: 9412230072
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N18   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY BELL
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NNEO VOLUNTEERS HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MUCH

In the early 1980s, when it was organized in the Gilmer neighborhood, the Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization set ambitious goals. It was one of four pilot groups in the Roanoke Neighborhood Partnership.

Volunteers now contribute more than 2,400 hours each year.

In April, NNEO received the President's Volunteer Action Award, an honor bestowed by President Clinton to recognize exemplary volunteer achievements in communities throughout the United States. NNEO representatives were there to shake the president's hand and accept the award.

Since its inception, the group has:

Purchased 30 unkempt or dilapidated properties for maintenance and development.

Maintained 30 vacant lots.

Provided home buyers assistance with closing costs, down payments and emergency repairs.

Provided affordable housing for 17 low- to moderate-income families.

Reduced the number of dilapidated houses by 50 percent.

Repaired seven homes owned by elderly residents, preventing their displacement.

Spurred more than $450,000 worth of investments in the neighborhood and helped increase overall property values in the neighborhood 600 percent.

Increased assessments on NNEO-owned properties more than 1,000 percent.

Employed 27 neighborhood youths and adults in community improvement projects.

by CNB