2012 detroit lisc annual report

2012 annual report

All Avenues Lead to Better Neighborhoods in Detroit

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The past year was filled with transitions, challenges, as well as success stories. It was a year when we shifted from the planning in three neighborhoods into the implementation

stage of neighborhood transformation. It was a year in which our organization restructured

to deliver better quality technical assistance and financing access to our community partners.

As we review our work, we would like to highlight the places where it matters most – in the

neighborhoods – in the communities – in the lives of those who call Detroit home.

This annual report provides a snapshot of our achievements and impact on the community.

Of course, our successes can be documented with investments, but there is also a human story

to our work. It is reflected in the smile of a father who can watch his son ride his bike on a safer,

resident-patrolled street; in the faces of students who can pursue meaningful higher education;

in the mother who knows she has quality healthcare close to home, and in the lives of over 4,500

individuals and families who are creating prosperity for themselves thanks to the work

of dedicated coaches at the Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families sites.

Detroit LISC, working with many strategic partners, is dedicated to influencing and changing

the quality of life for today’s residents, as well as impacting future generations. We will continue

to foster a spirit of collaboration, engage the community, hold our convening agencies accountable,

invest in neighborhoods and chart a clear course to a brighter tomorrow.

Tahirih Ziegler Executive Director

Nick Khouri Chair, Detroit LISC Local Advisory Board

LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORAND LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

Tahirih Ziegler

Nick Khouri

Who We Are: The InvestorAs a Community Development Financial Intermediary (CDFI), Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) mobilizes capital – loans, equity and grants – to invest in neighborhood development projects.

There’s more to us than just dollars and cents. Detroit LISC supports community-based organizations with technical and management assistance, capacity building and policy support.

Our Results Our Investments

Grants, Loans, Recoverable Grants $16,254,934

Leverage $30,769,283

Number of Housing Units 271

Commercial Real Estate 162,400 square feet

Loans and Equity$14,655,000

Grants$1,599,934

2012 By the Numbers“Everything we do at LISC is guided by our unwavering dedication and commitment to target resources and expertise to lead to one destination: a better quality of life for the people who live, work and raise families in Detroit neighborhoods.”

– Nick Khouri, Chair, Detroit LISC Local Advisory Board

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Sustainable Communities

DESTINATION:

LISC is committed to Building Sustainable Communities that foster the positive environments needed to ensure that all residents of any income level are provided the opportunities and tools to build assets, to participate in the benefits of their communities, and to become part of the mainstream economy.

In 2012, Detroit LISC invested $558,939 in its Building Sustainable Communities initiative to build the staffing capacity of our “Convening Agency” partners:

• Vanguard Community Development Corporation in the Grand/Woodward corridor

• Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, Inc. (UNI) in Southwest Detroit’s Springwells Village

• Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC) in Northwest Detroit

Quality of Life Plans are Coming into View! In 2012, a 10-month comprehensive resident-driven planning process was completed that led to the creation of a Quality of Life plan for each of Detroit LISC’s Building Sustainable Communities (BSC) neighborhoods. Over 1,500 residents and stakeholders came together to discuss the strengths and opportunities for improvement within their communities. The resulting Quality of Life plans will serve as a roadmap for community engagement and physical development in each neighborhood. The plans are now being implemented as a result of the partnerships formed between the Convening Agencies and work groups consisting of local stakeholders and residents.

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Grand/WoodwardThe Grand/Woodward neighborhood is a commercial and residential district within the heart of the New Center neighborhood, a business hub strategically located near Midtown and downtown Detroit. The Quality of Life priorities in Grand/Woodward are:

• Jobs and Economic Development

• Safety, Security and Beautification

• Education

• Neighborhood Improvement and Development

• Community Engagement

Grandmont RosedaleGrandmont Rosedale is comprised of five unique neighborhoods on Detroit’s northwest side: Grandmont, Grandmont #1, Minock Park, North Rosedale Park, and Rosedale Park. In Grandmont Rosedale, the Quality of Life priorities are:

• Community Stabilization

• Security

• Commercial Revitalization

• Beautification and Placemaking

• Youth Development

• Community Engagement

Springwells VillageThe 1.3 square-mile Springwells Village is a walkable community located in Southwest Detroit and is bounded by Woodmere Cemetery, Patton Park, a 300-acre rail yard, Waterman Street and I-75. The Quality of Life priorities in Springwells Village are:

• Business and Economic Development

• Education

• Health and Wellness

• Housing

• Leadership and Community

• Livability

• Neighborhood Beautification

• Public Safety

Brochure cover for the Grand/Woodward neighborhood

Brochure cover for the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood

Brochure cover for the Springwells Village neighborhood

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Quality of Life Improvements

DESTINATION:

Springwells Village: Blight EliminationThe City of Detroit targeted the Springwells Village neighborhood to be one of its pilot lo-cations for the White Picket Fence Program. As part of the City of Detroit’s Detroit Works Project– Short Term Actions, the White Picket Fence Program is designed to help area home-owners proactively tackle blight, discourage dumping on vacant lots and beautify the area.

As part of the program, local homeowners purchased city-owned vacant lots adjacent to their properties for $218. Participants in the program received a $200 gift certificate to give the lot a face-lift, and/or purchase the supplies needed to install a fence along the perimeter of their new property.

• Approximately 100 of the city’s vacant lots in the area have been sold or are in the process of being sold

• The program is expected to generate more than $20,000 in revenue and an additional $6,000 a year in taxes

• The next phase of the White Picket Fence program is planned for a second BSC neighborhood in the city’s North End community

Grandmont Rosedale: Beautification While the neighborhoods are known for their historic architecture and landscaped boulevards, Grandmont Rosedale is defined by its dedicated residents – the true heart and soul of the community. LISC supported and funded the Stoepel Park Beautification Project, which included upgrades and repairs to the Stoepel Park Baseball Diamond. Early action funds were used to repair and replace fencing around the baseball field, as well as to re-grade the baseball diamonds. Members of the Rosedale Grandmont Little League showed their team spirit by pitching in to help implement the improvements.

• Over 500 kids ages 4–16 participate in the 22-year old Rosedale Grandmont Little League each year

• 80% of the league’s players come from low-income zip codes in Detroit with the majority coming from the Grandmont Rosedale and Brightmoor communities

• Through 2012, $410,000 has been raised for the park restoration project

Before

After

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Grand/Woodward: Economic Vitality Using a variety of communication channels, LISC’s Grand/ Woodward convening agency, Vanguard CDC, piloted a Cash Mob Program with local merchants to provide substantial discounts on goods and services on special “cash mob” days to stimulate sales and increase the businesses’ customer base. Partners for the program included: Data Driven Detroit, Wayne State University’s Center for Urban Studies, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Henry Ford Health System and other local businesses.

• 8 local businesses participated in the Cash Mob Program; at least one business reported a 15–20% increase in sales

• The program served as a launch pad for the two-day 1st Annual North End Holiday Pop-Up Market which helped revive two vacant commercial buildings in the Grand/Woodward area

• 22 local vendors participated in the two events, attracting new customers and networking with other local business owners

Stoepel Park in Grandmont Rosedale

Grand/Woodward merchants

Rosedale Grandmont Little League

Cash Mob Program

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Affordable HousingDESTINATION:

Transforming LivesThere are approximately 18,000 homeless in the city of Detroit. Recognizing the severity of the homeless situation in Detroit, LISC invested $3 million in the Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) to help launch a monumental effort to help bring the homeless in from the streets and into a home of their own. The project includes:

• 155 one-bedroom apartments for permanent supportive housing

• A resident gym, library, computer room, art and music rooms, chapel, and general store

• The building will house 200 NSO employees in the new headquarters on the building’s first and second floors

INVESTMENT: $14,655,000

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Restoring Affordable HousingDetroit LISC helped combat the foreclosure and abandonment crisis in its target neighborhoods by providing an additional $1 million loan to the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA), increasing the existing loan to $2 million. The DLBA purchased and secured approximately 100 foreclosed and abandoned homes in the Boston Edison and East English Village neighborhoods. These renovated properties were then sold to qualified home buyers or rented to tenants with an option to purchase.

• 100 homes rehabilitated

• Increased neighborhood loan to value and market rates

• Opportunities for low- and medium-income families to own homes

• The project resulted in 40 new homeowners

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DESTINATION:

Stabilizing NeighborhoodsINVESTMENT: $1,206,000

Access to Mortgage CapitalSouthwest Housing Solutions (SWHS) introduced its mortgage lending operation to address the scarcity of mortgage lending activity in the area. LISC provided a seed grant to develop the infrastructure of Michigan Lending Solutions (MLS). LISC also provided grants to three Detroit community development corporations to help them become owners/members of the MLS lending model and expand these opportunities to the other Detroit neighborhoods. The MLS partners in Detroit include Midtown Detroit, Inc., Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, Vanguard Community Development Corporation, and Southwest Housing Solutions.

“We could not be happier about our home and our neighbors, and we feel that this will be a great place to raise our children. There are a lot of good things happening in the city, and we excited to be a part of it.”

– Tiffany Ellis, Michigan Lending Solutions participantTiffany and Jelani Ellis, Michigan Lending Solutions participants

Home purchased through Michigan Lending Solutions

• 28 homeowners approved for mortgage loans

• Mortgage loan approvals totaled over $800,000

• 89 approvals referred to partner banks qualifying for over $4 million in mortgages

• Loan Officers were placed in the participating organizations

• The MLS program will expand statewide

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Making Neighborhoods SafeINVESTMENT: $165,845

The Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC) Community Safety Program strives to improve public safety by bringing on a Community Security Program Manager funded by a grant from Detroit LISC. GRDC also led a citywide coalition of neighborhood groups advocating for the establishment of Special Assessment Districts by the City of Detroit, which would allow neighborhood associations to utilize a special assessment on properties in their boundaries for the purpose of funding crime prevention, snow removal, and mosquito abatement services to supplement the City’s services in these areas.

Detroit LISC also supported safety initiatives across Detroit, including:

• Focus: HOPE’s neighborhood safety coordinator in the Central Woodward/North End

• The Jefferson East Business Association’s Crime Prevention work

• The successful Safety Station model was replicated in the Cody and Osborn neighborhoods by the City of Detroit’s Youth Violence Prevention Initiative

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ProsperityDESTINATION:


Increasing Family Wealth and Income The pathway to success is different for each individual and each family. More than ever, individuals and families need help to gain financial stability. The Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families (CWF) are neighborhood-based hubs that assist families with reaching financial stability and moving up the economic ladder. These centers bundle a full range of essential economic support tools in one convenient location to help families build self-sufficiency, stabilize their finances, and move ahead.

Highlights from 2012 • Served 5,691 families and individuals

• Nine sites served more than 2,600 families in Detroit, Dearborn, River Rouge and Pontiac. Two of the Detroit areas served overlap with the LISC Building Sustainable Communities neighborhoods and are playing a key role in advancing family economic success goals contained in the neighborhoods’ quality-of-life plans.

• 53% increase in CWF clients’ net income; and a 40% increase in net worth

• Clients realized a 27% increase in their credit scores

• A job placement rate of 33%

“The financial literacy class was very informative not only on saving money but it helped me look at the way I spend my money, how to budget the little money I receive, how to read a credit report, the difference between a credit card and a debit card and so much more!”

– Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families participant

Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families Sites

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In Roads to Quality Education


The Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA), one of the highest performing charter schools in the state, built its first high school in 2012. Located near Eastern Market, the 58,000-square-foot Early College of Excellence opened in time to serve students in the 2012-13 school year. The facility houses a state-of-the-art gymnasium, media center, administrative office and classroom space. It also meets LEED Platinum specifications. The majority of the financing for the $11.5 million project came in the form of equity and loans through the Chase New Market Tax Credits Fund (NMTCs), LISC Charter School Investment Fund and loans supported by State Farm.

“The school’s environment that was achieved through our funding from LISC has allowed us to continue the legacy of academic excellence. Additionally our school building is equipped and designed to prepare our students for college accessibility.”

– Ralph Bland, Superintendent, DEPSA

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Detroit LISC

Nick KhouriChair of the BoardDTE Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs

Tonya AllenVice Chair of the BoardThe Skillman FoundationVice President of Program

Anne BeckCollege of Creative StudiesVice President of Administration and Finance

James S. BernackiComerica IncorporatedSenior Vice President

David CampbellMcGregor FundPresident

Melonie ColaianneMASCO Corporation FoundationPresident

David O. EgnerHudson-Webber FoundationPresident

Karla HendersonCity of DetroitGroup Executive of Planning and Facilities

Local Advisory Board

Harvey Hollins, IIIState of Michigan Office of Urban InitiativesDirector

Burney JohnsonMichigan State Housing Development AuthorityDeputy Director

Jason PaulateerPNC Community Development BankingVice President

Elizabeth SullivanCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganVice President

Laura TrudeauThe Kresge FoundationSenior Program Director

John Van CampSouthwest SolutionsPresident and CEO

Harold R. VarnerVarner & AssociatesPresident

Ray WatersDetroit Development FundPresident

Tahirih ZieglerExecutive Director

Brandon IvoryBuilding Sustainable Communities Program Officer and Safety Coordinator

Stephanie InsonAdministrative Assistant

Robert DewaelscheDeputy Director

Jacqueline BurauGreater Detroit Centers for Working Families Senior Program Officer

Anthony BatisteBuilding Sustainable Communities Program Officer and Loan Underwriting Program Officer

Victor AblaDirector of Lending and Portfolio Management

Detroit LISC Staff

Detroit LISC extends a special thank you to our 2012 donors. We appreciate your continued support.

Bank of America

Charter One Foundation

Comerica Bank

Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan

Corporation for National and Community Service – Social Innovation Fund

DTE Energy Foundation

Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis

Fifth Third Bank

The Hudson-Webber Foundation

JPMorgan Chase

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The Kresge Foundation

The MASCO Corporation Foundation

The McGregor Fund

MDC, Inc.

The NFL Grassroots Program

PNC Foundation

The Social Innovation Fund

The Skillman Foundation

State Farm

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The U.S. Small Business Administration

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Private Sector and Public Sector Support

Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD)

Community Economic Development Associates of Michigan (CEDAM)

Detroit Cristo Rey High School

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Detroit Land Bank Authority

Don Bosco Hall/Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative

Focus: HOPE

Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation

Henry Ford Community College

Jefferson East Business Association

Lighthouse of Oakland County

Michigan Nonprofit Association

Neighborhood Service Organization

Operation ABLE of Michigan

SER Metro – Detroit

Southwest Detroit Business Association

Southwest Housing Solutions

United Community Housing Coalition

University Cultural Center Association

Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, Inc.

Vanguard Community Development Corporation

Groups Funded in 2012

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Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation660 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1600

Detroit, MI 48226Phone 313.596.8222

Fax 313.596.8237

www.detroit-lisc.org

Facebook www.facebook.com/Detroit.LISCTwitter www.twitter.com/DetroitLISC

YouTube www.youtube.com/DetroitLISC

The core of the Building Sustainable Communities initiative is five pillars that support resident-led, community-based

development organizations that transform distressed communities into good places to

live, do business, work, and raise families.

fostering safe and healthy environments

increasing family income and wealth

building the physical

environment

improving access to quality education

stimulating the local economy

Produced by: Lori Ella MillerGraphic Design and Printing: Shoreline Graphics, Inc.

2012 detroit lisc annual report

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