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Inside Iowa State
October 9, 1998

Design college awarded role in national HUD program

by Steve Sullivan

Iowa State has received a $400,000 U. S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant for a Des Moines neighborhood revitalization program.

The HUD Community Outreach Partnership Center Program grant will help fund a $1.37 million project in the Des Moines Enterprise Community, which consists of five low-income neighborhoods on the city's north side. In addition to the HUD grant, funding for the program is provided by the city of Des Moines and the university.

The College of Design's department of community and regional planning will coordinate the program, with involvement from ISU Extension.

The three-year Community Outreach Partnership Center program will focus on community empowerment and planning, providing affordable and fair housing, and revitalizing neighborhoods. The program will offer residents of the Des Moines Enterprise community workshops on leadership, home maintenance and repairs, interior design, hazard abatement and landscaping. The program also will help area leaders develop an action plan to bring retail outlets to the five neighborhoods.

ISU faculty and undergraduate and graduate students will be involved in the program.

"The Community Outreach Partnership Center Program will have great benefits for this diverse area of our capital city," said Riad Mahayni, chair of community and regional planning. "It also will give our faculty a wonderful outreach opportunity and provide our students with invaluable learning experiences."

HUD awarded $7 million for neighborhood revitalization programs to 18 colleges and universities across the country.

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