How our team is organized

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Steering Committee

The Bartram Choice Steering Committee (BCSC) served as the decision-making body for the Bartram Choice Neighborhood planning effort and was established to make sure that all policy and project decisions were wellinformed by the community. BCSC reviewed and approved the Transformation Plan priorities, early action activities, project design, community engagement and capacity building efforts. The BCSC is made up of representatives from PHA, Pennrose, PIDC, Bartram Village residents, neighborhood residents, and government employees (Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity’s Place-Based Initiatives). Other members represent educational and workforce training facilities, community organizations, local business owners, and health institutions, including Bartram High School, Bartram’s Garden, Southwest Community Development Corporation, the Common Place, City Lights Network, ACANA, Southwest Philadelphia District Services, the Village, and 12th Police Precinct.

Task Forces

Three task forces focused on the main objectives of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative—Housing, People, and Neighborhood. The task forces were responsible for identifying the goals for the plan and developing strategies to achieve the goals. The task forces also brainstormed ideas for early action activities to be completed during the planning process. The task forces were also responsible for proposing action activities to be completed when the planning process ends.

The task forces brought together professional partners, area stakeholders, business owners, non-profit organizations, Bartram Village residents and neighborhood residents. Each was chaired by professionals working at the city and neighborhood level. The intent was to combine the expertise of practitioners with the on-theground knowledge of community members while building a shared understanding of the possibilities and potential limitations.

▶ The Housing Task Force focused on developing a strategy to provide high-quality, well-managed, mixedincome housing that responds to the needs of the neighborhood.

▶ The People Task Force explored ways to help residents of Bartram Village and the surrounding community thrive. This included considering ways to expand access to effective education, meaningful opportunities for employment, quality health and wellness services, and well-designed, affordable housing.

▶ The Neighborhood Task Force identified ways to improve connections to basic services in the community such as grocery stores, banks, and a laundromat, doctor’s and dentist’s offices, a greater sense of safety, and overall appearance and character to attract public and private investment.

Action Activity Committee

In addition to providing funds for the planning process, HUD awarded PHA with funding for Action Activities. Ideas for these activities come directly out of the planning process and are limited to physical improvement, community development, and economic development projects designed to jumpstart transformation of the neighborhood. These activities are to be realized in the year and a half following the completion of the neighborhood plan.

An Action Activity Committee was set up in summer of 2019, with Bartram Village and neighborhood residents and several planning partners. The Committee decided on criteria to evaluate the ideas submitted by the task forces. The Committee then assembled a long list of activities that were submitted to HUD for review in November 2019. With input from HUD, the Committee narrowed down the list and then each member voted on the projects to determine which action activities should be prioritized. .

CORE TEAM

PHA, WRT, Pennrose, PIDC, Bartram Village Resident Council ▲ A lively Task Force Meeting to discuss potential strategies for the Bartram Village

Neighborhood

Steering Committee Task Forces Action Activity Committee

Decision-Making Body Implementing Action Activities

▲ How our team works together, combining the forces of local residents, agencies, stakeholders, and other partners.