Creative Solutions for families in Niagara Falls

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Creative Solutions for families in Niagara Falls
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Carolyns House, Phases I, II, III
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Phase I
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• The Need
• No supportive housing available for women and
  children in Niagara County.
• 30.2 of single mothers living in poverty in
  Niagara County the majority living in the city
  of Niagara Falls.
• Niagara County unemployment rate consistently 4
  higher than NYS average.
• Niagara Falls consolidated plan shows 56 of
  housing structures substandard in the inner city.
• The demolition of 542 6th Street would remove 25
  of the usable buildings on the street.
• Renovation vs. demolition would reduce property
  crime and spur additional investment in the
  neighborhood.

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The Location

• 542 Sixth Street, Niagara Falls had been vacant
  for fifteen years.
• Several non-profits had attempted to acquire and
  develop the building unsuccessfully.
• The building would fit a one stop supported
  services residential model for homeless women
  with multiple children.

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• The Funding
• DHCR Low Income Tax Credits
• New York State Historic Tax Credits
• New York State Homeless Housing Assistance
  Program
• City of Niagara Falls HOME Funds
• Niagara County IDA Funds
• Federal Home Loan Bank Grant
• YWCA of Niagara Grant
• Total 5,900,000

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The Partners

• UB Laws Clinics including Women, Children
  Social Justice, Community Economic Development
  and Affordable Housing partner with non-profit
  agencies throughout Western New York.
• The YWCA of Niagara 25 years experience with
  Domestic Violence programs and small scale
  housing development Domestic Violence Shelter
  and Transitional Housing.
• Community Partners Carolyn Van Schaik, Janet
  Meiselman, Lauer, Manguso Architects, City of
  Niagara Falls Historian Tom Yots, Calamar.

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Phase II
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Carolyns House Today

• 19 multi bedroom apartments
• 78 women and 100 children have found a safe place
  to live over the past three years.
• 26 women have gained employment while residing at
  Carolyns House.
• 12 women have graduated from the onsite culinary
  arts institute.
• 5 women have obtained their GED.
• 4 women have gone on to college.

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Support Services

• Culinary Institute
• GED/ESOL
• Financial Literacy
• Individual Development Accounts
• Case Management
• Parenting Skills

• Janitorial Training
• Certified Nursing Assistant Training
• Computer Assistance
• Legal advocacy
• Court Accompaniment
• Medical Billing
• Medical Receptionist

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YWCAs First Social Enterprise
The Catering Crew
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Social Enterprise What is it?

• A social enterprise is an organization or
  venture that achieves its primary social or
  environmental mission using business methods. The
  social needs addressed by social enterprises and
  the business models they use are as diverse as
  human ingenuity. Social enterprises build a more
  just, sustainable world by applying market-based
  strategies to today's social problems.

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Characteristics of a Social Enterprise

• Social benefit is the primary goal.
• Addressing social problems simultaneously with
  income generating activity.
• Profits are returned to the individual client or
  the organization
• Income is generated from current services or the
  development of a new business venture

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Nationally Recognized Social Enterprises

• Goodwill Industries
• KaBoom
• Americas Second Harvest
• Chicagos Childrens Choir
• The Greyston Foundation
• National Geographic
• Ten Thousand Villages

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Phase III
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The Neighborhood Has Challenges
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The City has many challenges
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What are our options?
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Urban Farming?
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Light Manufacturing?
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Products from existing Services?
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Additional Housing?
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Partnering with Not for Profits Social
Entrepreneurship in Niagara Falls

• A presentation by UB Law School
• May 7, 2009