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A. Area of interest
Developing neighborhoods through affordable housing and community organizations
B. Long–term outcome statement
Stark County residents will:
- live in affordable, adequate and diverse housing
- organize to create change in their neighborhood
Recommendation
When and where appropriate, neighborhoods organize associations and create leadership capacity to organize and empower residents. Residents in Stark County neighborhoods will:
- become more involved in their neighborhoods
- work with political officials, community development corporations (CDS’s) and intermediary organizations to plan for development
- find needed funding support
C. Rationale
A healthy, self-reliant and self-sustaining neighborhood is a place in which people are willing to invest their time, effort and resources. This requires residents that are active and organized. Most neighborhoods organize in response to an issue of concern, however, neighborhood organizations are not just for distressed neighborhoods.
Since the 2002 Assessment, The Stark Community Foundation has continued to encourage and invest in the development of neighborhood associations in Alliance, Canton and Massillon. These associations have actively worked to beautify neighborhoods, develop and implement economic development plans, reduce crime and promote safety and to maintain and improve the housing stock in the neighborhoods.
Housing is an area vital to healthy neighborhoods. The housing stock in Stark County is old, with the majority having been built prior to 1970. Often it is more expensive to renovate an existing house than it is to build new. As a result of this, and a variety of other factors, the urban centers of Stark County are slowly losing population as people move to the suburbs. As an additional consequence, there are more housing units available than households. In 2006, the Census Bureau estimated that approximately eight percent of housing units were vacant in Stark County. The estimates for vacant housing are much higher in the urban areas.
While the amount of housing stock has increased the overall quality, especially in the urban centers, remains a concern. One strategy, included in the Stark County Regional Planning Commissions 2030 Comprehensive/Transportation Plan report, is to the increase range of housing choice in size, price range and related residential needs (rental units, affordability, assisted living features).
Greater involvement of residents through neighborhood associations collaborating with political officials and community organizations can result in more sustainable and healthy Stark County neighborhoods. |
