Residents of a community know their hopes and dreams for their neighborhood — safe streets with decent and affordable homes, a place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, a park for the kids to play, a school where students thrive.
Through Habitat for Humanity’s neighborhood revitalization work, we tailor our efforts by partnering locally with residents and community leaders and organizations to best address real concerns and improve the lives of the people who live in the neighborhood. With residents leading revitalization efforts, Habitat’s work looks different in each community — a bank and grocery store in one, a youth center in another, walking trails, home repairs and community gardens in yet another.
What does neighborhood revitalization look like?
Our neighborhood revitalization work follows the guidelines provided in our Quality of Life Framework, a data-driven and customizable approach developed by Habitat and vetted by community development experts to help to improve neighborhoods. The framework focuses on first understanding the concerns of the residents and then empowering these residents to lead the projects they want to see. Alongside Habitat, residents work with churches, schools, new and longstanding neighborhood coalitions, local government and other community partners to achieve their goals.
Because each neighborhood’s challenges and aspirations are different, the framework acts as a guide that can be tailored to fit the goals of each community. That’s why neighborhood revitalization can look like anything from developing public parks to organizing safety meetings with the local police department to rehabbing and reopening schools, stores and homes.
home repair program
Repairs are limited to residents in Kent County whose household earns 80% or below the area median income. The repairs are at no charge to the homeowner. The type of work we approve has to be a critical need or a health/safety issue. This can include roofing, plumbing, electrical, accessibility, and more on a case-by-case basis.
home energy checkup
An In-Home Energy Check-Up is a fast, easy way to increase the energy efficiency of your home and help you start saving immediately. An Energy Advisor will come to your home and check the condition of its insulation, heating and air-cooling system, lighting, appliances and more to identify simple ways to help save energy and money.
rock the block
Rock the Block is CDHFH’s effort to revitalize the downtown Dover area. With the help of volunteers, community partners and sponsors, we will complete a number of exterior repairs and beautification projects in the Downtown District of Dover, DE. Neighborhood revitalization is an ongoing process, but our goal is to continue to enhance the quality of life for not only our Habitat homeowners, but all residents in the area.
