NSP Target Areas

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (as per section 2301(c)(2) of HERA) requires that “…funds be distributed to the areas of greatest need, including those with the greatest percentage of home foreclosures, with the highest percentage of homes financed by subprime mortgage related loan, and identified by the grantee as likely to face a significant rise in the rate of foreclosures. The grantee’s narrative must address the three need categories in the NSP statute, but the grantee may also consider other need categories.” Outlined below are the items considered to identify the target areas.

A. Low/Moderate/Middle Income Area
Funds must be targeted to Census Block Groups that qualify as an area of low-, moderate, and middle-income (LMMH) benefit, where more than 51 percent of the people in the area had incomes in 2000 less than 120 percent of Area Median Income.

B. Neighborhood Stabilization Program Data
In addition, as per the NSP statute, grantees must target funds to give priority emphasis and consideration to areas with greatest need, including those:

With the greatest percentage of home foreclosures
With the highest percentage of homes financed by a subprime mortgage related loan
Identified as likely to face a significant rise in the rate of home foreclosures

C. Foreclosure Data
To more accurately define those areas with the highest percentage of home foreclosures, the City’s Planning and Development Department staff gathered data on Wayne County Tax foreclosures. Social Compact, Inc. provided data on Mortgage foreclosures for 2006 and 2007. Data was also provided on adjustable mortgages that have reset or are scheduled to reset. This data indicates those areas that may be facing foreclosure due to the resetting of interest rates.

D. Local Target Areas
To insure that efforts aligned with other local stabilization and development efforts, consideration was give to targeting areas with:

Significant private sector investment (by analyzing building permit activity)
Current allocation of Block Grant activity, including demolition, minor home repair and other rehabilitation and redevelopment activity
Urban renewal activity
Local designation such as the Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative areas
Federally designated Empowerment Zone and Renewal Community activity
Other Planning and Development Department redevelopment activity
Need for stabilization as identified in the City’s revised Master Plan of Policies
Investment by foundations such as LISC, Skillman and the Community Foundation

E. City Wide Policies
In addition to the consideration of the City’s Master Plan policies for each of the target areas (see item D-6 above), consideration will also be given to the Master Plan’s citywide policies, especially those that pertain to vacant land and open space (listed below).

Establish an inter-connected open space system throughout the City (Environment and Energy: Policy 4.1).
Work with communities to convert vacant properties into neighborhood parks and natural habitat areas (Environment and Energy: Policy 4.2).
Encourage and support urban agriculture (Environment and Energy: Policy 4.3).
Encourage large-scale developments and developments in high-density areas to incorporate open space (Environment and Energy: Policy 4.6).
Investigate the feasibility of expanding participants involved in operation of existing parks and recreational facilities such as local community organizations, larger non-profit organizations, or regional public/quasi-public agencies (Parks, Recreation and Open Space: Policy 1.2).
Expand the collaborative planning of parks and recreational facilities and programs with the Detroit Public Schools and other city agencies (Parks, Recreation and Open Space: Policy 1.3).
Educate property owners about the benefit of early repair and preventive maintenance of their property (City Design: Policy 3.1).
Promote cooperative efforts on part of residents, businesses and the city to share responsibility for care and maintenance of abandoned lots and structures (City Design: Policy 3.2).
Provide survey and inventory of vacant land and vacant structures in order to identify their potential for future development (City Design: Policy 3.3).
Encourage public and private initiatives to develop interim uses for vacant buildings and spaces (City Design: Policy 3.4).

F. Target Areas
Data from each of the elements listed above (items A through D) were cross-referenced to determine the areas with the greatest need. The target areas as identified are based on Census Block groups, but the boundaries are not intended to be limited to the specified Block Groups but may include adjacent areas.

View and download maps (pdf files) of the Target Areas: