THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410180316
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
The first in a series of meetings to begin a new housing policy in Suffolk will be held at 7 p.m. today in City Council chambers.
The Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, under new executive director James Armstrong, is hoping this program will create new and better housing as well as cohesive and caring neighborhoods.
The city plans to help set up self-sufficient corporations in various neighborhoods to battle blight. These independent, nonprofit groups would then apply to public and private agencies for grants.
However, the plan will only help neighborhoods that are willing to help themselves. Tuesday's meeting will be held to evaluate and prioritize neighborhoods for participation in what the city is calling ``neighborhood revitalization projects.''
Diversity in neighborhoods is being encouraged and home ownership is being emphasized, city officials have said.
A task force has developed a scale to rate the neighborhood revitalization projects. Factors such as a neighborhood's interest and participation, its economic characteristics and the physical characteristics of its housing will be used.
Residents interested in having their neighborhood considered should contact a community group leader and have a representative attend tonight's meeting.
For more information, call the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority at 925-6343.
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY by CNB