Building Sustainable Communities
LISC is committed to building communities that offer 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.
We are calling these places Sustainable Communities. They are, in effect, the embodiment of both “community” and “development” — places where human opportunity and social and economic vitality combine with a continuous process of growth, adaptation, and improvement. We envision Sustainable Communities as places that people want to be in, contribute to, thrive in, and be proud of. Sustainable Communities are good places to live, do business, work, worship, and raise families.
In Detroit and across the country, LISC is expanding its traditional focus and developing partnerships with a wide-range of nonprofit and for-profit organizations that support the larger issue of comprehensive community health and sustainability. LISC is focusing its investments on five core program objectives that, taken together, can lead to this larger goal.
The Five Core Goals of Sustainable Communities are:
Developing, Preserving, Investing in the Physical Environment
The central component of Detroit LISC efforts is to improve the physical environment. Detroit LISC provides technical assistance and early stage financing to help nonprofit partners create large-scale real estate developments, such as housing, shopping centers, mixed-use projects and other commercial buildings. Also, the Detroit Vacant Property Campaign (DVPC), an initiative of Detroit LISC, works with communities affected by vacant and abandoned properties. The DVPC develops tools and strategies to mitigate the negative effects on the neighborhood and put vacant properties back into productive use.
Increasing Family Income and Wealth
Another key component for comprehensive development is building family wealth and income. This includes improving residents' skills and access to living wage jobs, and creating opportunities for new homeowners. Detroit LISC supports organizations that provide workforce development and financial literacy programs which produce opportunities for residents to thrive. Detroit LISC and United Way for Southeastern Michigan have partnered to advance the financial stability of families and individuals in our community. This partnership created and manages the Greater Detroit Centers for Working Families, a network of high performing non-profits that provide the services. The Annie E. Casey Foundation developed the model for this work.
Stimulating Economic Activity, Locally and Regionally
Connecting our targeted neighborhoods with the regional economy and beyond is critical for the health of Detroit's neighborhoods. Detroit LISC supports our partners as they implement strategies to stimulate the local economy to create and retain jobs, enhance the tax base, and improve overall quality of life.
Improving Access to Quality Education
Access to quality education is a vital component of a comprehensive community agenda. Detroit LISC works with our community partners and supports activities within our investment areas that provide opportunities for youth to develop necessary life skills and receive a quality education.
Fostering Livable, Safe, and Healthy Environments
Neighborhoods need to offer residents an environment that enhances their health, employment, and sense of well-being. Detroit LISC supports organizations that are working to develop healthy environments. This includes eliminating blight, addressing issues around graffiti, providing opportunities for access to healthy food, and initiatives to increase safety and security.