Community Development
The communities surrounding the WSSU campus have suffered from a decline in owner-occupied housing, an increase in vacant properties, and a lack of commercial investment. The CDC addresses these issues by engaging residents in neighborhood revitalization.
With CDC assistance, the residents of Excelsior Street formed an association that meets monthly to find ways to improve their neighborhood. The CDC won LISC's 2003 Non-Profit Developer of the Year Award for the Excelsior Street neighborhood development project.
Also in the CDC service area is the Columbian Heights Extension neighborhood group that meets monthly. The group has a neighborhood patrol, raises funds for neighbors who need help, plants flowers and is planning a recreation center for neighborhood children.
