National Initiatives

USI is currently coordinating CSS programs for three HOPE VI developments in Memphis in collaboration with Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) and lead funder Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM). USI oversees Memphis HOPE, a local public-private partnership that provides comprehensive, personalized case management and service linkages for families who lived in these select public housing developments prior to the revitalization of those properties. Through Memphis HOPE, USI coordinates a diverse partnership network of service providers to provide comprehensive services for families. In addition to the three CSS Programs, USI and Memphis HOPE are also responsible for implementing the MHA’s ROSS program.

Through the partnership with MHA, WFGM and Memphis HOPE, significant economies of scale and sharing of expertise have been achieved by consolidating operational and staff resources. As result, MHA has made the momentous decision to use the Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE integrated service connection approach as the vehicle for future service delivery to all public housing and Housing Choice Voucher residents in the City.

In 2008, USI was engaged to create a community and supportive services work plan for the residents of the former Scott and Carver Homes, two adjacent public housing developments in Miami’s Liberty City community that were targeted for revitalization in 1999. Through its work, USI worked to engage the more than 1,000 households that were relocated from the sites as plans for new housing proceeded. USI currently leads the effort to employ a community plan with a collaborative group of service partners that provide the critical programs and resources necessary to ensure a healthy, strong and secure community.

Harmony Oaks

In August 2007, USI initiated comprehensive case management and supportive services targeting families from the C.J. Peete public housing development that were involuntarily displaced throughout Louisiana and neighboring cities by Hurricane Katrina. USI launched an intense search effort in January 2008 to locate and serve 551 low-income families that faced numerous hardships that were exacerbated by their circumstances following their displacement. Currently, USI has located 85% of affected families and provides intensive case management and coordination of workforce development, education, youth development, healthcare and other supportive services.

Iberville/Treme

In 2011, USI was part of a team that was awarded a Choice Neighborhood grant in the city of New Orleans for the Iberville/Treme neighborhood. This historic neighborhood is deeply rooted in African-American culture, but is in incredible disarray and riddled with poverty and crime, which only worsened in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2006. USI is working diligently with the Housing Authority of New Orleans, HRI Properties, McCormack Baron, the City of New Orleans, and other critical stakeholders to transform the already culturally vibrant community into an economically vibrant one. USI has worked with residents to form a resident working team; together, USI and the Iberville Resident Working Team (IRWT) empower residents to set goals and give residents the tools and resources necessary to achieve these goals.

Arthur A. Blumeyer at 3501 Franklin Ave / North Sarah

Through a partnership with the St. Louis Housing Authority, McCormack Baron Salazar, USI, and the Blumeyer Tenant Association (BVTA), St. Louis was awarded $7,829,750 from HUD to demolish its last remaining public housing high rise in 2011. The 143-unit development at 3501 Franklin Avenue currently houses 137 families, a large percentage of them headed by young women. The HOPE VI revitalization of the Blumeyer Family public housing high rise, 3501 Franklin (3501), represents the final stage in the transformation of the Arthur A. Blumeyer public housing site, most of which was rebuilt from 2001 to 2005 as the Renaissance Place community was developed. The families at 3501 Franklin will have priority to move to the new North Sarah community, a new 231-unit mixed-income development. The Blumeyer site will be redeveloped into a community park that serves the families of the adjacent neighborhood, Renaissance Place at Grand.

USI, in partnership with the St. Louis Housing Authority and the Blumeyer Village Tenant Association, continues to conduct outreach and resident engagement, and case management to the Blumeyer and North Sarah families through a comprehensive Community and Supportive Services (CSS) Program.

Arlington Grove

The Arlington Grove community is newly constructed mixed-income community located on the near north side of St. Louis. The development features 112-units of mixed-income rental single and multi-family units, including the complete renovation of the historic Arlington School into residential units. Urban Strategies currently provides post-revitalization support for Arlington Grove families, linking them to critical supports and to local programs and services.

Renaissance Place at Grand (formerly the Blumeyer Public Housing Development)

In 2001, the St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) designated McCormack Baron Salazar as master developer with Urban Strategies as sub-contractor responsible for all CSS activities under a $35 million HOPE VI revitalization program. Urban Strategies coordinated the CSS Program, case management, and resource development for programming under the project. The CSS program engaged a diverse set of partners to serve former Blumeyer families and new residents. Urban Strategies leveraged over $4 million in services and construction of a community center. Urban Strategies continues to employ a full-time Community Activities Coordinator who coordinates on-site services and provides ongoing support of the partnerships that were developed under the CSS Program.