Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)

September 28, 2009

Mayor John Spring announced today that the City of Quincy will initiate a Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to mitigate blight and home vacancy in the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.  The NSP was developed to help state and local governments acquire and redevelop properties that might otherwise deteriorate into a blighted condition.

The program will target Quincy’s “Riverside” neighborhoods—residential areas west of 12^th Street that are experiencing the highest rates of foreclosures and home abandonment.  NSP grant funds will be used to redevelop both owner-occupied and rental units in poor repair.

Proposed projects include acquisition and redevelopment of 16 structures which will be sold to families earning no more than 120% of the Area Median Income.  Eight rental units will be made available to individuals or families earning no more than 50% of the Area Median Income.  The City will also provide down payment assistance to eligible participants in the form of “forgivable soft second mortgages.”  The City plans to use the proceeds from the sale of the first 16 units to fund additional neighborhood stabilization projects.

The City will administer the NSP program in partnership with Mecca Companies, Inc, an affordable housing, construction management, and consulting firm based in Mishawaka, Indiana.  Mecca intends to use the grant funds to provide the maximum benefit to the local economy.  The livability and safety of the targeted areas will be improved.  Children will have safer neighborhoods.  Crime has been shown to decline where blighted conditions have been removed.

If you have any questions concerning the neighborhood stabilization program you can contact Chuck Bevelheimer, Director of Planning at 217-228-4514.