Serving Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Fulton, Montgomery & Otsego Counties

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1 So What did we Learn? Serving Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Fulton, Montgomery & Otsego Counties 1611 Genesee Street Utica, New York

2 The Five W s of The Community Survey... I n February 2013, the HomeOwnershipCenter in Utica, NY, was charged by its parent NeighborWorks America with the task of conducting a neighborhood survey somewhere within its six-county service area. The idea was to take a closer look at communities all across the country in which there is a NeighborWorks presence, by giving residents an opportunity to reflect on common issues that affect the quality of life they experience in their close-knit neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Naturally, the HomeOwnershipCenter chose Utica s Center City community in the central East Side as the neighborhood it wanted to examine more closely. Why? Because the area not only served as the location of HOC s birth in 1979, but it has remained the epicenter for its community revitalization enterprise ever since. Further, it is a neighborhood not only recognized for persistent socio-economic stressors, but also for an enduring contingent of committed and resourceful change agents living and working among its residency. The people of the Center City district care! And HOC headquarters, although home to a community development entity that serves six entire counties, remain on the fringe of the Center City community today. Approximately 1200 households in the heart of Utica s East Side were invited to participate in the survey, and 206 of them took HOC up on its offer. That represents a response rate of 17.2% admirable for a grassroots campaign of this nature that might commonly evoke a response from only 10-12% of the population. The HomeOwnershipCenter also completed visual assessments of 100 individual structures (a representative sample) and 43 city blocks (100% of the survey area). Six months later, and as a result, we feel we have assembled a sound cross-section of resident input and staff evaluation that can effectively serve as a barometer of what Center City life is like today for those who call the area home. Further, it is our hope that the information may be useful to others local officials, service providers, resident leaders who can benefit from this insight during their own decision-making endeavors. To take this project to the next level, the HomeOwnershipCenter and Neighbor- Works plan to come back again in a few years and take a second snapshot of the same community. It is our hope that we will be able to identify and measure the progress that will have incurred through current and near-future partnerships involving the HomeOwnershipCenter, the City of Utica, the residents of the Center City district, and countless others working to make our communities safer, stronger, and more prosperous each and every day. This is what we learned. 2

3 Utica s Center City Neighborhood Community Survey Geography We Surveyed HERE! Boundaries: Pleasant Street (Genesee to Steuben) Steuben Street (Pleasant to James) James Street (Steuben to Kemble) Kemble Street (Pleasant to Clinton) Clinton Place (Kemble to Genesee) Genesee Street (Clinton to Pleasant) Streets: Boyce Elm (partial) Elmwood Davis Derbyshire Dickinson Faxton Grant Holland (partial) Jewett Kemble (partial) Oneida (partial) Scott Thomas 3

4 The Survey Respondents... 2 out of 3 respondents own their own home 30% of respondents are non-caucasian, and 10% are Hispanic 2 out of 3 respondents are women 64% of respondents have lived in the community for more than 5 years. 23% have lived in the community for over 15 years. And... the longest any single respondent has lived in the community is 80 years! 4

5 Resident Satisfaction... Over 87 % of survey respondents indicated they are satisfied with life in their Center City neighborhood. And more than 8 out of 10 respondents would be likely to recommend the neighborhood to others! 5

6 What Residents Like...and Don t Like! Nearly 1 in 4 respondents said that the people of the Center City community are its greatest asset! Cost of living, diversity, and the area s rich history are among the least-cited reasons for affinity to the neighborhood. Drugs and crime, surrounding decline, and current/ absentee landlord issues are cited as residents top three concerns. Taxes, safety issues, amenities, noise, codes violations, and pet annoyances are all low on the list of quality-of-life concerns. 6

7 Resident Outlook... 43% of respondents feel the community has improved in the past three years, and 59% nearly 6 out of 10 expect to see more positive change in the near future! 51% will work with others to make things happen 36% will help groups deal with conflict 26% are willing to run local meetings 35% would work to increase their own leadership skills Over half of respondents are confident they can make a substantial difference in the Center City community. 7

8 Opinions on Public Services... Public Approval Rating? 3 out of 4! Emergency Responders: Job Well Done! 8

9 Opinions on Public Services... Very/Somewhat Satisfied? 84% 57% of respondents feel that DPW services are good or very good... 9

10 Thoughts on Safety... Although daytime safety is ranked very high, over 47 % of survey respondents have concerns about personal safety in the community at night, and nearly 18% have concerns about safety in parks and other public areas. WARNING! Groups are generally perceived as being safe, but approximately 15% of respondents feel that children playing outside and seniors living in the community are the most at risk of being unsafe. 10

11 Some Food For Thought? Where Do All Of These Potential Gardeners Live? 11

12 Residential Building Conditions... Over 30% of Center City homes /structures need major exterior repairs or comprehensive rehab. An additional 50% of homes/structures need minor exterior repairs. Porches and balconies represent the area of greatest housing repair need (external) in the Center City, with 67% of households showing visible need for minor or major rehabilitation. Failing windows represent the second highest area of housing rehab concern (exterior), with 49% of homes demonstrating a need for some window repair or replacement. 12

13 Other Property Issues... I 3 out of 4 Center City homes demonstrate additional exterior repair needs beyond those evident on the main residential dwelling. 53% of driveways show evidence of neglected maintenance. 46% of sidewalks and walkways show evidence of needing repair or replacement. 13

14 Center City Residents. Homestead Aesthetics.Show They Care! 14

15 Visual Block Conditions Center City residents will be thankful for the street and sewer improvements now underway. Park and playground areas are looking good. Redevelopment of the aging sports field at Kemble and James Streets is in-the-works! Graffiti, dumping, and littering are largely on the decline, thanks to the efforts of residents, City officials, and the Home- OwnershipCenter. 15

16 The mission of the HomeOwnershipCenter is the revitalization and growth of neighborhoods NOTES This Project Made Possible Through the Generosity of Our Corporate Sponsors Café Domenico Utica 16