Collaboration leads to stronger neighborhoods

The Wellington Heights neighborhood has a long, proud history as one of Cedar Rapids historic neighborhoods. In recent years, so many positive developments and events have been taking place to make the neighborhood stronger.

As a result of collaborations between homeowners and neighbors, the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association, community leaders, the police, service organizations and others – there has been an increase in homeownership, a 27 percent reduction in density, and 25 percent decrease in crime. Recent data is now also showing an increase in home sale prices in this neighborhood.

One example of the collaborations that have been active in recent years has involved the Affordable Housing Network's goal of acquiring and rehabilitating 100 properties in the Wellington Heights neighborhood to increase homeownership and the quality of properties, while decreasing density and crime. Having now exceeded that goal, AHNI and partners are planning the next phase of home revitalization, as work remains to fully realize the hopes for this important neighborhood.

As recently reported by the Gazette, AHNI is seeking to extend the collaboration's work with 12 to 15 additional properties over the next five years. In so doing, this collaboration will remain focused on strengthening the community, make homeownership a possibility for more low/moderate income families, and increase the growing sense of pride and ownership in the neighborhood.

These efforts could not have been possible without the steadfast support from the City of Cedar Rapids. Please join us in thanking city leaders for their leadership.

Karl Hoffman

AHNI Board Chair

Kim Eiler

AHNI Director