THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 27, 1994 TAG: 9408270243
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE KNEPLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Norfolk State University, already renovating several houses in the central Brambleton neighborhood, now plans to build five homes for low- to moderate-income families.
Construction will be funded through a $500,000 grant the university is receiving from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This is the second year that the university is getting a $500,000 grant from the federal housing agency. The award was announced by U.S. Sen. Charles Robb.
Norfolk State does not yet have sites for the new houses but hopes to build all of them on the same block to maximize the revitalization impact on central Brambleton. The aging neighborhood is just west of NSU's campus.
The homes probably will be priced from $75,000 to $80,000, but the university also hopes to devise a creative-financing plan to make the homes more affordable for low- to moderate-income families, said Carolyn Bell, Norfolk State's associate vice president for development and community relations.
Bell expects construction to begin by December.
Besides housing, the university also uses the federal grants for several other programs to help lower-income Norfolk residents, especially in central Brambleton. Some efforts will be continuations of projects begun under the 1993-94 grant.
For example, the grant will enable Norfolk State to continue its paid job-training program for unemployed campus-area residents. Skills are taught in construction, asbestos removal and upholstery, Bell said.
Construction trainees, she said, helped renovate three central Brambleton houses. New participants will work on the new homes.
During 1993-94, there were 10 trainees. This school year there will be only five, because more of the grant will be dedicated to housing construction, Bell said.
The programs make up part of Norfolk State's increased commitment to solving urban problems, said Harrison B. Wilson, the university's president.
During this school year, Bell said, the efforts will include:
Holding more community workshops to inform lower-income residents about home ownership and career possibilities.
Organizing a health education and fitness program for lower-income residents, especially senior citizens.
Creating a mentoring program in which successful Norfolk State students would serve as role models for neighborhood teens.
Conducting parenting workshops for low-income areas.
Establishing a police mini-station in central Brambleton, to be manned by volunteers.
Continuing to plan an expansion of the campus into the south Brambleton redevelopment area, with possible developments that generate city tax revenue and jobs.
KEYWORDS: NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
by CNB