The Process

The HELP Initiative meets the overall goals by leading residents, faith-based/community-based organizations in targeted communities through a five-step community improvement process:

  1. Community Collaboration

    In each HELP neighborhood there is a collaborative comprised of neighborhood stakeholders. East Liberty KEEL Group, Homewood Community Development Collaborative, East Hills Consensus Group, Lincoln-Lemington Consensus Group, Larimer Consensus Group, and other community-based and faith-based organizations and emerging Partnerships/Collaboratives.

  2. Comprehensive Planning

    In each HELP neighborhood an ongoing planning partnership will collaborate with stakeholders within the community as well as public officials, city and county government, Pittsburgh Public Schools, non-profit and foundation partners, businesses and private developers to create a comprehensive community plan. The comprehensive community plan will become the guiding document for economic and community revitalization.

  3. Capacity in Community Organizations

    HELP will provide organizational development along with comprehensive technical assistance services to community- based organizations. These community-based organizations will utilize HELP’s comprehensive assistance to facilitate, implement, and monitor community economic and housing development activities and other supportive projects in the HELP Initiative’s targeted neighborhoods.

  4. Capital Investments

    The HELP Initiative will establish an East End growth fund. In addition, HELP will coordinate all available resources from public/private entities including: Government, Banks, Foundations, Private Market, Financial Institutions and Faith-Based Organizations.

  5. Construction of Projects and Services

    The HELP Initiative will oversee a process to create sustainable, vibrant and safe mixed-income neighborhoods. This process will include the production of affordable housing in the East End and other projects consistent with the most recent neighborhood planning processes and consensus.