Res 2014-102/2014 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Action Plan

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o Organize a "Compliance Store" where home builders, building supply stores, merchants, and celebrities, such as radio and television personalities, are used to demonstrate simple, cost effective ways to make improvements to houses and donate building supplies for use in self -help projects. The supplies and storage facility for supplies could be provided to enrollees by building supply stores, contractors, and hardware stores. o Organize "adopt -a- block" and "adopt -an- intersection" campaigns where neighborhood groups, residents, scout troops, and businesses adopt key vistas and intersections to maintain and implement beautification projects, such as flower and shrub plantings and maintenance. o Creating Community Gardens as interim uses on select vacant lots provide an opportunity for neighborhood residents to work together to increase the attractiveness of their neighborhood. Formats for community gardens range from attaching simple window boxes to homes along a street reflecting a common theme, coordinating garden planting, or converting a vacant lot that may previously have been an eyesore in the neighborhood into a flower or vegetable garden tended by members of the community. Naturally, ownership of a vacant lot is an issue to be resolved before gardening begins. The City Assessor can provide information on the ownership of the property, including a mailing address. If the lot is privately owned, permission to use the lot must be received from the owner. If the property is owned by the City or expropriated, ownership of the property might be transferred to a local non - profit organization or neighborhood association. While the costs of plant materials and supplies are an important consideration for community gardens, many nurseries and home improvement stores offer discounts for community improvement projects. 107