HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INC
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Mission Statement
Since 1986, HANDS, Inc. has implemented a neighborhood revitalization effort in the neighboring cities of Orange and East Orange, New Jersey. By targeting the most pivotal problem properties for development, engaging citizens and other stakeholders and leveraging investments of time and funds, HANDS has stabilized neighborhoods and created long-term sustainable change. As a nonprofit community development corporation, Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc. (HANDS) is tax exempt under IRS 501(c)(3) and a chartered affiliate of NeighborWorks® America. The table is set and the time is now for HANDS and its partners to permanently alter the trajectory of Orange toward a vision we call: the urban village of the 21st Century, a just and beautiful city.
About This Cause
HANDS practices a High-Impact Neighborhood Development Strategy that targets pivotal, vacant problem properties (houses and former industrial properties) that pull down neighborhood quality of life. HANDS acquires and rehabilitates them for purchase and rental affordable to low and moderate income families and small businesses and adaptively reuses former industrial and commercial buildings as mixed-use developments. HANDS engages community stakeholders and residents to participate in community planning, envisioning the future of their neighborhoods and empowers residents to take on leadership and advocacy roles in local decision making. HANDS has worked in the Valley neighborhood of Orange, NJ for over 25 years to revitalize this former industrial neighborhood that was once a center of hat manufacturing. A citizen's visioning conference identified the arts as an engine to revitalize the neighborhood and defined goals for making that vision a reality leading to a comprehensive neighborhood plan. HANDS has created 13 projects that provide affordable housing and arts space to the creative community and others who want to live in a pedestrian-friendly, smart growth neighborhood that brings people together around the arts. We are well on our way to meeting a commitment to creating 100 permanently affordable arts spaces to anchor a neighborhood that is starting to attract private investment. Significant progress made in the Valley neighborhood along with other major strategic initiatives has provided the momentum to drive revitalization in another pivotal neighborhood, the Heart of Orange around Oakwood Avenue School. HANDS has also created a comprehensive neighborhood plan for the Heart of Orange covering the central core of the city with goals addressing redevelopment of vacant housing, improved public space, business development and promoting institutions that improve health and wellness and support strong families. HANDS collaborates with several community partners to provide educational, cultural and business support that together raise the quality of community life.