CDC Panel Tribune Review Article

Experts warn Penn Hills: Don't expect miracles with development groups
By Tony LaRussa
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, November 19, 2009


Experts in the operation of community development corporations say one could help Penn Hills tackle a host of problems.

But the experts, who last week led a public discussion on whether Penn Hills should form such a group, cautioned people against unrealistic expectations.

Nonprofit development groups can address a broad spectrum of issues, from public safety to foreclosure prevention and neighborhood revitalization, said Bethany Davidson, deputy director of the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, which works with dozens of the corporations in Pittsburgh.

They are unique in that some funding, such as federal housing rehabilitation grants, is available only to them.

Davidson urged residents to set short- and long-term goals for the community, but cautioned against taking on too much.

"As you discuss the future of community revitalization in Penn Hills ... don't try to tackle it all," said Davidson. "Start small, start with a vision and take small, incremental steps to get to that end result."

Aggie Brose, who belonged to the core group that launched the city's Bloomfield-Garfield Corp. in 1976, said its efforts began around the simple credo that "this neighborhood needs to have a voice. It has to hold people accountable."

The group's first project was to persuade a supermarket to paint the exterior of its building. Since the group's inception, it has been involved in the rehabilitation and construction of several hundred homes. It advocates for a range of services including health-care initiatives, youth programs, work force development and credit counseling.

Brose noted that while her group often works closely with government, it considers holding government officials accountable as part of its mission.

"We can be their best friend or their worst nightmare," Brose said.

Scott Leff, associate director of the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management, agreed that while nonprofit development corporations can accomplish a lot, obtaining financing for their work can be difficult because of competition for the money available from local foundations.

"It's very hard to become much of a nonprofit without foundation support," said Leff. "You are going to have to make a compelling case as to why Penn Hills needs a CDC, why it needs to be an independent organization, how it's differentiated from other groups out there. And you will have to assure the foundation that you are going to be able to stay in business."

Penn Hills Planning Director Howard Davidson, who helped organize the discussion, said identifying projects that a group might take on should not be difficult. His office conducted a residential survey that elicited 700 responses, which were incorporated into the municipality's comprehensive plan to guide its future.