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Neighborhood Revitalization Programs

  
 

Winner of the 2003 National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) Meritorious Achievement Award

Winner of the 2002 National American Planning Association (APA) Award - HUD Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award Category

Winner of the 1998 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Best Practice Award

The Model Blocks (MB) Program is the City of Fort Worth's premier neighborhood revitalization program aimed at "building strong neighborhoods, a safe community and sound economy". It makes a visible impact in a manageable geographical area by concentrating City activities and resources of $1.2 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds in the selected neighborhood. From the inception of the program in 1993, 18 MBs have been selected. Neighborhoods compete for MB designation. The program is based on the following principles:

• Comprehensive planning and implementation: Neighborhood residents, assisted by City staff, develop a comprehensive neighborhood plan, including a vision statement, goals, objectives, and strategies to implement the plan.   They perform visioning, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, asset-based planning, and prepare a budget for the $1.2 million. The plan covers projects in housing, infrastructure and community facilities, economic development, public services and neighborhood capacity building. City staff also helps residents implement the plan.
• Resident empowerment: MB fosters strong neighborhood organization. Residents actively participate in developing the neighborhood plan and implementing projects. Of the eighteen MBs selected since 1993, nine (9) have formed non-profit community development corporations and are currently undertaking development and providing social services.
• Public-private partnership: MB neighborhoods work with area businesses, government agencies, banks, other non-profit organizations, housing developers, universities, churches, schools etc. to form the partnerships necessary to effectively solve problems and build for the future.
• Leveraging of Resources: The MBs have successfully competed for additional funds from various sources beyond their initial MB allocation. Partnerships with various organizations have also expanded services in the MB areas.  
  

Eligible Applicants

Neighborhood association leaders can submit a 10-to-20 block area within their neighborhood association for Model Blocks consideration according to guidelines outlined in the application workbook.  

The proposed area must be located within the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Eligible Target Areas, and must have contiguous boundaries consisting of one distinct district connected by a street and the buildings facing that street or by public or institutional space such as parks, community center, church grounds etc. The sponsoring neighborhood association must have bylaws and a steering committee containing at least five residents of the Model Blocks area willing to actively participate in developing goals and objectives for the neighborhood and to work together over the course of this program.  

Home Improvement Loans are available to income-eligible homeowners who reside in designated Model Blocks areas. The Home Improvement Loan Program provides loans at no interest to low income homeowners for the purpose of making home improvements that substantially improve or protect the livability of their residences.

Get information on the Home Improvement Loan Program.

Download the Model Blocks Program Brochure (PDF, 2 pages, 167KB)

Contacts for Model Blocks Program:

• Barbara Asbury,  Sr. Planner,  817-392-7331
• Sherie Goin, Project Development Coordinator, 817-392-7545

Please send questions and comments to housinginfo@fortworthgov.org or call (817) 392-7331.