Historic Little Italy Clean, Green, & Safe Housing Committee

The Clean, Green & Safe, and Housing Committee would be an enhancement of the existing Neighborhood Watch group, since this group is already a successful, recognized, and established organization. It has its place in the hierarchy of neighborhood groups within the City of Erie, has an established board, and has a clear mission and goals. Enhancing the activities of this group, by adding the Historic Little Italy Neighborhood Manager to help coordinate the new responsibilities, is seen as the easiest way to jump start this neighborhood revitalization effort This Committee would have the following responsibilities, at a minimum:

	Empowering and organizing local homeowners, as well as residents who want to become homeowners, to take control of the destiny of the neighborhood.
	Establishing a Neighborhood Development Corporation (if needed) to participate in, and take advantage of, specific programs and projects some of which may be able to generate funds for the organization.
	Working with the Design Committee to spearhead a Spring 2008 “Clean-Up, Green-Up” program to kick-off the Revitalization Plan implementation process and to get the community excited about what is to follow. Coordination with other organizations that sponsor similar activities is critical for greatest impact.
	Working with housing partners to enhance housing rehabilitation and new housing construction programs, emphasizing home ownership and including market-rate and upscale housing alternatives.
	Enhancing Neighborhood Watch Group activities and programs.
	Striving to make Historic Little Italy a safer and greener neighborhood. Working with the Design Committee to assure that greenery is included in all streetscaping and other design plans. Working with the Design Committee to assure that greenery is included in all streetscaping and other design plans.
	Working with the Design Committee to assure that greenery is included in all streetscaping and other design plans.
	Working with the Police Department to continue to address and reduce crime in the neighborhood.
	Immediately establishing programs like “adopt a park” or “adopt a block” to provide long-term commitments for maintenance, and to acquire ownership of the neighborhood.