Housing GSO: HRA Greensboro Affordable Housing Plan

NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT

SUPPORT REHABILITATION AND INFILL DEVELOPMENT | Recommendation

residents employed at local contracting businesses.

Greensboro can strengthen the capacity of its rehab and infill development programs by investing in local contractors. Like many cities across the nation, Greensboro’s infill development capacity is constrained by the shortage of qualified contractors willing to work with the City. Presently, the City provides its infill development partners with gap subsidy to purchase blighted or vacant properties, renovate and/or construct infill units on the land, and then sell them on the market. This established model for infill development is efficient and is operating successfully in Greensboro but will require additional contractors to scale to the neighborhood level. Given the smaller scale, infill projects are naturally aligned with the skill sets of small businesses, particularly those who are already established in a given city or region. City programs can therefore act as a key avenue for local workforce and economic development activity by providing jobs to residents employed at certified local contracting businesses.

Approach to Infill Development

The City can increase its pool of qualified contractors to meet the ongoing demand for rehabilitation. Greensboro can provide technical assistance (such as help with navigating City permitting processes) to contractors interested in becoming qualified for home repair projects. This will support neighborhood reinvestment goals through consistent and focused rehabilitation of properties, while also aiding in workforce development in the City by providing a continual pipeline of construction employment opportunities and building more small businesses in the area.

Partner with non-profits or for-profits capable of infill development

Identify property (land or structure) to attract owner occupant

Leverage public subsidy necessary to make repairs economically feasible

Owner sells home to new owner occupants using down payment assistance program

HR&A Advisors, Inc.

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